Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
696. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on measures taken by his Department to improve water quality in Ireland, specifically, actions relating to Lady's Lake in Wexford, the Blackwater River and Lough Carra; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34569/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new revised and strengthened national River Basin Management Plan, called the Water Action Plan 2024, was launched by my Department in September 2024. The plan is a requirement of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). The Water Action Plan is a strategic plan that outlines the national policies and high level goals that will protect and restore our natural waters up to 2027, and advances Ireland’s commitment to the implementation of the WFD.
The aim of the plan is the identification and implementation of the “right measure in the right place”. The Plan contains targeted measures to both restore and protect all waterbodies, which will be supported by the integrated catchment approach through the development of Sectoral Action Work Plans and Catchment Management Work Plans. The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), which is funded by my Department, coordinates efforts among Local Authorities to achieve good or high water quality in our water bodies.
In relation to Lady’s Island Lake, my colleague, Minister of State, Christopher O’Sullivan has met with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Wexford County Council and LAWPRO along with the National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) and the Water Division within my Department. From this engagement an oversight group for Lady’s Island has been established. This group has met on multiple occasions and is being led and chaired by Wexford County Council.
My Department announced funding to Wexford County Council for their coordination role in restoring the ecological condition of the lake. Wexford County Councils action plan to deal with the pollution at the lake, will follow the framework and mechanisms established within the Water Action Plan. Lady’s Island Lake is a Priority Area for Action (PAA) under the existing Water Action Plan and therefore all mechanisms for undertaking scientific and compliance investigations, delivery of advice and implementing regulatory and supplementary measures under the Water Action Plan will be harnessed. A holistic approach to dealing with the sources of nutrients entering the lake, from agriculture, domestic waste water treatment plants (septic tanks) and urban waste water treatment plant(s), by all implementing bodies is vital. This will involve very close engagement between Wexford County Council, LAWPRO, the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory (ASSAP) and the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) programme.
LAWPRO was also involved in the interagency response to the Blackwater Fish Kill Incident in August 2025. While LAWPRO does not have an enforcement role in such incidents, it provided advice and support in relation to the macroinvertebrate sampling and offered staff resources to assist with this sampling. LAWPRO continues to provide catchment science support to Cork County Council as required.
LAWPRO has led the completion of Local Catchment Assessments (LCAs) in assigned Priority Areas for Action (PAAs) in the Blackwater Catchment, County Cork. In addition, the South West Communities Team has been actively engaging with the public and supporting community capacity-building across the Blackwater Catchment area. In the aftermath of last year’s fish kill, LAWPRO held two well attended public meetings in Mallow. These meetings took place alongside the ongoing community engagement work being carried out by the Cork Community Water Officer, who has continued to work closely with a wide range of groups throughout the Blackwater Catchment Area.
To date, approximately 423 farmers have engaged with the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) within the River Blackwater (Munster Catchment) area, with a strong focus on nitrate reduction measures. Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) advisors are working with farmers to establish baseline nitrogen (N) surplus values and identify opportunities for reduction. Additional nitrogen-focused EIP measures, such as over sowing plantain into grass swards, are also being piloted.
Regarding Lough Carra, County Mayo, the LAWPRO Community team in the Western Region has worked on behalf of Mayo County Council and my Department with voluntary / community groups as well as individuals within the Lough Carra catchment since LAWPRO’s creation in 2016. This includes, but is not limited to, significant support for Lough Carra Catchment Association, with the specific focus of restoration and protection of the Lough Carra catchment and its surrounding environments. Historically this support included the preparation of a successful application to EU LIFE, which has leveraged significant collaboration from both community and statutory stakeholders around Lough Carra. In recent years LAWPRO has also administered funding, on behalf of my Department, to support various community led efforts and actions around the catchment such as core organisation funding, funding for the implementation of measures mitigating agricultural pressures in the catchment, education booklets, awareness events, podcast series and citizen science training.
