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Poor local authority engagement in Water Framework Directive roadmap |
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By Gery Flynn
Public involvement with making changes to the Draft River Basin Management Plans published last December has so far been low, and there is no sign that it will increase significantly by the 22 June deadline for submissions, a leading campaigner on environmental water issues claims.
Sinead O’Brien of the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN), the umbrella body for thirty of Ireland’s environmental groups, told a workshop on the water framework directive that despite being more than halfway to the June deadline there had been little public involvement with the plans.
“There has been no real public participation in the Water Framework Directive in general up to now, so it’s going to be even more challenging to engage them in the draft plans because of the very low level of awareness about water issues in Ireland anyway,” O’Brien contends. |
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A world first on the island of Ireland |
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By Wendy Scott
In 2008 the world’s first UNESCO international Geopark, which is located between counties Fermanagh and Cavan, was established. The geopark is a large area comprising the Marble Arch Caves network and Cuilcagh Mountain Park, located just above the caves and extends into Co Cavan.
Inshore Ireland paid a visit to this fascinating site to view the underwater caves, stalagmites and stalactites, blanket bogs, limestone pavements, and glacial ridges to name only a few of the amazing features.
“Geology has no borders,” remarked Richard Watson, manager of Marble Arch Caves European Geopark.
“UNESCO stands for the ‘United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’ and a ‘Geopark’ is an area comprising a number of sites of special geological interest in terms of their “scientific quality, rarity, aesthetic appeal and educational value,” explains geologist, Dr KirstinLemon.
“The sites must be part of the areas geological heritage; however they may also have areas of cultural, historical, ecological and or archaeological interest.”
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Latest report finds breaches in water quality standards continue |
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In 2008, Galway County Council was prosecuted by the Environmental Protection Agency for failure to comply with a direction to improve the security of their water supply, and a further 283 notifications of failure to meet drinking water standards were issued.
These are some of the findings in the latest report on drinking water quality in Ireland during 2007-2008 from the agency charged with monitoring Ireland’s water standards.
Commenting on the report, Dara Lynott, director, EPA Office of Environmental Enforcement said that sustained investment in infrastructure was needed to deliver clean drinking water” |
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Building a bridge between you and the EU |
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The European Commission Representation in Ireland
By Gillian Mills
The European Commission Representation in Ireland is part of a network of representative offices throughout the Member States of the European Union. It is the Commission’s voice in Ireland, and aims to communicate EU affairs at national and local level.
Inshore Ireland asked the Dublin Office about its role specifically relating to fisheries, aquaculture and maritime affairs:
The Commission’s role is framed by the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). It proposes legislation at EC level; manages EC funds earmarked under the CFP, and monitors the application of EC law. In some specific cases, the Commission also adopts detailed technical rules.
The Commission has started a review of the CFP to make it more efficient in ensuring the economic viability of the European fleets; conserving fish stocks; integrating with maritime policy and providing good quality food to consumers. The review will be based on an analysis of the achievements and shortcomings of the current policy, and will look at experiences from other fisheries management systems to identify potential avenues for future action.
The consultation with stakeholders and the public began on April 22 and will last until the end of the year with a view to adoption for a reform in 2012.
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