River Boyne Task Force Bill 2023: Second Stage [Private Members]
Dail Éireann — 2026-01-22
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Kieran O'Donnell (FG), Limerick City

I am dealing with this on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. I thank Deputy Nash for introducing this Labour Party Bill. I also thank him and Deputy O'Rourke for their contributions to the debate this evening. While the Minister welcomes the genuine intentions of the Bill in attempting to address issues in the Boyne catchment, this Government is already implementing a comprehensive set of measures, policies and administrative structures that are contributing to addressing such issues, not just within the Boyne catchment but at a national level.
Water is one of the most important natural resources. In so many ways it is central to our economy and way of life. It is essential for our tillage and livestock which ensures stable and high-quality food production. It also sustains our biodiversity and nature through unpolluted and healthy ecosystems, while clean and hygienic drinking water supplies ensure the health of our citizens. Managed effectively, water plays a key role in strengthening the resilience of our social, economic and environmental systems.
The lesson that can be taken away from the most recent EPA report is that while we still need to do more to address problems of water quality, Ireland is ahead of many other European member states with regard to water quality. This Government is taking action to address the impacts on our water quality. The EPA water quality report highlighted several areas for improvement, including the necessity of improved data sharing and integration between the implementing bodies, water quality programmes and State agencies. The Bill as proposed would do the opposite by including an additional layer of administration and would isolate the catchment from the effective structures that are already in place.
I spoke briefly earlier about some of the work that is being undertaken to help to address negative impacts on water in the Boyne catchment. By virtue of measures and initiatives currently in place through the 2024 water action plan, we are already undertaking many of the proposals outlined in the Bill to tackle the impacts on water quality. A dedicated programme delivery office was established in early 2025 with responsibility for co-ordinating the work of relevant national and local structures to drive the delivery of the plan and for reporting on progress with the implementation of the measures that will address the pressures on water quality. In addition, the programme delivery office is overseeing the development of catchment management plans through the local authorities water programme, LAWPRO. These work plans will outline the issues to be addressed and the roles and responsibilities of implementing bodies such as local authorities.
The Boyne catchment has been selected as one of the pilot projects in which the new work plans are being developed and tested. Community stakeholders will also play a pivotal role in helping to address our water quality, particularly through the catchment community forums that are being introduced under the water action plan. These community forums are currently running as pilot projects in five catchments throughout the country, including the Boyne catchment.
The Boyne catchment community forums will undertake many important tasks, including contributing to the development of the catchment management work plan for the catchment. The catchment community forums will ensure that local communities have a say regarding water quality in their catchments. I strongly encourage local community stakeholders to fully participate in this opportunity to help shape the future of their water environment.
In addition, the Government is providing the necessary funding to upgrade our water infrastructure. Under the updated national development plan, Uisce Éireann will invest €11.7 billion up to 2030 to support the delivery of key strategic projects to deliver the additional water services capacity required for the new housing targets while prioritising public health and safeguarding the environment.
The Government has already commenced future planning for the water quality sector that will be implemented into the next decade. Officials from my Department have begun the process of developing Ireland's fourth water basin management plan - the water action plan 2028 to 2033.
With the indulgence of An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, if he allows me to continue, I will take an extra minute or two.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-01-22/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:32+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-22