Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 June 2025
94. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the efforts of the Government to highlight the potential economic impacts of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive; if the Government has outlined any concerns about whether the Directive adheres to the polluter pays principle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33186/25]
View answerMy Department is engaging with external consultants to undertake an independent assessment of costs for Ireland associated with the measures in the recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.
The recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive applies the Polluter Pays Principle by including a provision for "Extended Producer Responsibility" for specific micro-pollutants. The Directive requires a contribution from pharmaceutical and personal care products producers of at least 80% of the costs of removal of specific micro-pollutants from wastewater. According to the EU Commission's impact assessment, these sectors are estimated to contribute 92% of these micro-pollutants to wastewater streams.
