General Scheme of the Water Environment (Abstractions) Bill 2018

The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy T.D., invites submissions, observations and comments on the General Scheme of the Water Environment (Abstractions) Bill 2018.

The objective of this public consultation process is to invite stakeholders to contribute their views in relation to the proposed legislation.

The proposed General Scheme will repeal the Water Supplies Act 1942 and part of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1964 and will replace them with a new stand-alone piece of primary legislation governing the abstraction of water. It is an obligation under the EU Water Framework Directive to introduce a control and registration system over the abstraction of water. As Ireland has not had to date a comprehensive control regime in this area, the Minister wishes to seek the views of the public and interested parties on the proposed policy changes.

The Department is inviting any interested parties to make submissions to help inform the legislative process.

To get involved, please email your observations or comments to waterquality@housing.gov.ie by 12 October 2018. Your written submission or observations on the General Scheme should be in 'Word' format.

Alternatively, responses can be posted to: Water Quality Section, Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Government Buildings, Newtown Road, Wexford. Y35 AP90

To assist you, relevant documents may be accessed by clicking on the link below titled 'Documents':

Additional information

The following links may provide useful information to you in advance of making a submission:

• Water Framework Directive
• Water Supplies Act 1942
• Local Government Sanitary Servies Act 1964
• River Basin Management Plan 2018 - 2021

Respondents are advised that the Department is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and Data Protection legislation.

Personal, confidential or commercially sensitive information should not be included in your submission and it will be presumed that all information contained in your submission is releasable under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Please note that submissions received may be made available on the Department’s website. In any event, all submissions received will be subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection legislation.