Meath County Council is to write to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, asking him to consider establishing a statutory River Boyne Taskforce charged with preserving the distinctive character of The River Boyne, its ecology and biodiversity.
The move comes on foot of a motion proposed by Labour Councillor Elaine McGinty which was passed unanimously.
Councillor McGinty’s proposal is to create a single statutory taskforce to bring all the stakeholders together with the common goal of protecting and enhancing the river.
The Taskforce would co-ordinate the efforts of four separate councils, regulators, government, Irish Water, landowners, NGOs and community activists, McGinty explained.
“Over the last year I have worked with Save the Boyne campaigners, from all walks of life, to identify how we can improve the water quality and biodiversity of the river” Councillor McGinty said. “I have listened carefully to those who live, work and depend on this river every day.
“Nobody I have met needs any more data from scientists, we have all seen with our own eyes the deterioration in the water quality of the Boyne.
“The EPA are not mincing their words when they say that the quality of the water in the Boyne and our rivers nationally is not good enough. We know that our winters are wetter, our summers are dryer, it’s the middle of November and it’s too warm for a coat. There can be no further delay – we have to adapt and fast.
“This means that all our wastewater treatment plants that feed into the Boyne must be reviewed and upgraded at a minimum. We need to look at the new reality of what exactly this river can handle or assimilate to quote science, so that we do not destroy it.
“We need to legislate, plan and, more importantly, act for the here and now and not base any future planning applications on past data. We need our pollution standards and water directives to be implemented.
“This motion is about saving the river from us, our generation, and ultimately preserving it for future generations.
“The Taskforce I am proposing will co-ordinate the efforts of four separate councils, regulators, government, Irish Water, landowners, NGOs and community activists.
“We need to act now and lead in our fight against climate change, this river is not a resource with unlimited capacity, and we need to stop treating it so. My proposal is a necessary first step to change how we treat The River Boyne and realise its remarkable potential.”
The proposed taskforce will have a very specific mandate:
- to propose and promote policies and priorities for the protection and enhancement of the environment of The River Boyne and of the natural habitats and wildlife in and around the river,
- to co-ordinate, promote and support strategic planning and sustainable development in and around The River Boyne,
- to make recommendations to regulate and control pollution in and around The River Boyne,
- to promote public interest in and respect for The River Boyne as a public amenity,
- to co-ordinate the activities of public bodies and other organisations and persons in matters connected with the performance of its functions.
