Agenda item

Gerry O’Connell, Engineer in charge, Flood Defence Unit, presented to the Committee on the Draft River Basement Management Plan 2018-2021 and outlined the purpose of the plan and made the following points:

·        Bring rivers, lakes & tidalestuaries toa goodecological status

·        Address pressureson Water Quality

·        There will be significant public consultation

·        Despite significant investmentthereis stillsome way to go to achievea good ecological status

·        45% of rivers & 55% of lakes areless than good status

·        Pressures onachieving good status includeAgriculture, Forestry,and Industry etc.

·        The quality in Ireland iscomparable withotherEUmembers

·        It is hoped thatthe RBMP will beadoptedby December2017.

Theroleofthe Local Authority(DCC)is:

·        Coordinatedelivery of measuresat regional and local level

·        Tracking progressand effectivenessofmeasures

·        Annual reportingof progress

·        Ensuring public and stakeholderengagement in implementation

·        Integrated approach acrossfunctional areas

·        Supporting national policydevelopment and implementation

Gerry further explained:

·        Gerry’sofficewill bemaking submissions on the plan.

·        7 riversarein DCC’s administrative areawithmostbeing of moderateto poor status

·        Most ofthe coastalareas in DCC’s area are ofgoodstatus.

·        Estuariesareofmoderatestatus

·        Ground waters are ofgoodstatus

Members thanked Gerry for his presentationand raised thefollowing questions

·        Is Dublin CityCouncil thelead Authorityin relation to the Liffey,what can be done intermsof itsperceived low quality.(NOM)

·        Can wehavemoreinformationon LAWCO,what dotheyactuallydoand how would communitygroups engage with LAWCO(RM)

·        In relationto thePoddle river, could we havean overview on whatis planned (MM)

Gerry O’Connell responded

·        Each Local Authorityis responsible for itsown area;the problem withthe Liffey isthat much of the damageoccurs upstream.

·        The majorthreats on the Liffeyareagriculture,dischargesfrom wastewater treatmentplants and combined sewer overflowsit ishoped areasonable standard will be reached by2020

·        LAWCOwill bein contact with the AreaOffices togetdetailsof residents associationswith aview tobringing an awareness of the plan and to trytoget linkagesbetween various bodies(state)and people

·        Each river will have aplan and asthe plan isdeveloped LAWCO will endeavour to keepcommunity involvement.

·        LAWCOcan advise onsourcing funding.

·        The Poddle is generallyunderground in theCity, the will bea plan for theriver that willfocusonthe partsof the river thatare visiblewhich are mainlyin the administrativeareaof South Dublin.The plan isto get thewater qualityup to good status.

Order: Presentation Noted