A greater focus on protecting our most pristine water environments is needed, says EPA

The EPA has today released its latest national assessment of water quality in Ireland .  The release coincides with World Water Week, which links scientific understanding with policy-making and positive action toward water-related challenges. The EPA assessment covers the six-year period between 2010 and 2015 and is the first full, six-year, assessment of the status of our […]

‘To pay or not to pay water charges, there is no Question’- Harkin MEP

“There is no question as to whether Ireland will not be in breach of EU regulations if we decide not to apply water charges.” This was stated by Marian Harkin MEP, having analysed EU Commission responses and a recent judgment from the European Court of Justice. The first and most obvious reason is that Water […]

Flooding: Statement on behalf of the European Commission Representation in Ireland

With regard to the widespread flooding in Ireland, the European Commission would like to clarify the following points: Any suggestion that EU environmental rules are somehow to blame for the recent severe flooding in Ireland is completely without foundation. ·         EU law does not ban dredging. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Floods Directive […]

New Action Plan For Mid West Waterways

The Mid West Regional Authority (MWRA) has been allocated €192,000 under an EU-funded programme to promote the environmental protection and economic development of the Mid West Region’s principal waterways, including Lough Derg, the West Clare coastline, the River Shannon and the Shannon Estuary.   The Authority has been tasked with developing a regional policy tool […]

Rural Householders Cannot Have Further Water Charges Imposed By EU Commission

IFA National Environment Chairman Pat Farrell said farm families and rural householders would be very concerned at the latest attempt by the European Commission to impose additional costs on them.  He was reacting to comments by the Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik that there should be a charge for water abstraction and well drilling. Pat Farrell […]