To date, approximately 423 farmers have engaged with the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) within the River Blackwater (Munster catchment) area.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne said the actions in this area have a "strong focus on nitrate reduction measures".

The minister was responding to a question from Green Party TD Roderic O'Gorman who asked for an update on measures taken by his department to improve water quality in Ireland, specifically, actions relating to Lady's Island Lake, the Blackwater River and Lough Carra.

Water action

Minister Browne said a new revised and strengthened national River Basin Management Plan, called the Water Action Plan 2024, was launched by his department in September 2024. 

The plan is a requirement of the EU Water Framework Directive.

"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 minister said.

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," Minister Browne said.

"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."

Lady's Island Lake

In relation to Lady’s Island Lake, 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 the housing department, Minister Browne said. 

"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," the minister said.

"My department announced funding to Wexford County Council for their coordination role in restoring the ecological condition of the lake.

"Wexford County Council's action plan to deal with the pollution at the lake will follow the framework and mechanisms established within the Water Action Plan."

Priority area for action

Lady’s Island Lake is a priority area for action under the existing Water Action Plan.

"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", the minister said.

"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 EIP programme."

Blackwater Catchment

LAWPRO continues to provide catchment science support to Cork County Council as required, Minister Browne said.

LAWPRO has led the completion of local catchment assessments in assigned priority areas for action in the Blackwater Catchment, Co. 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," Minister Browne said.

"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 EIP within the River Blackwater (Munster catchment) area, with a strong focus on nitrate reduction measures, Minister Browne said.

"ASSAP advisers are working with farmers to establish baseline nitrogen surplus values and identify opportunities for reduction," he said.

"Additional nitrogen-focused EIP measures, such as over-sowing plantain into grass swards, are also being piloted."

Lough Carra

Regarding Lough Carra, Co. Mayo, the LAWPRO community team in the western region has worked on behalf of Mayo County Council and the housing department with voluntary/community groups as well as individuals within the Lough Carra catchment since LAWPRO’s creation in 2016, Minister Browne said.

"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."

Minister Browne said in recent years, LAWPRO has also administered funding, on behalf of his department, to support various community led efforts and actions around the catchment.