Green Party rep for Drogheda Rural, Anthony Murphy has praised the new plan published yesterday by Minister Malcolm Noonan to protect and improve Ireland’s rivers, lakes and coasts.

“This ambitious plan aims to reduce water pollution and improve the quality of over 300 lakes and rivers across Ireland by 2027” Murphy said. “It will be implemented with the support and participation of local communities who are most affected by the quality of their local water.

 “Water is one of our most precious resources so we must work hard to keep it clean and safe for everyone to enjoy. Our rivers and lakes are under threat, and we need to take action to stop pollution in our rivers. The plan includes new measures to increase enforcement such as 60 new enforcement staff. This is vital, as all too often polluters are not held to account.”

"The Boyne River is our town’s greatest resource and needs to be protected, we need to tackle nitrate runoff along with other causes of water pollution. This plan makes community engagement and involvement a key element of the plan. We want local people to get involved in identifying problems and being involved in developing solutions."

New measures in the plan will bring communities, Non-Governmental Organisations, farmers and industry together to understand the challenges in their area and collaborate in solving them. The measures will be implemented through local work plans developed through structured public gatherings.

Local Authorities will get more than 60 new enforcement staff to target inspections on 4,500 farms per year and ensure tighter controls on the use of fertilisers that impact water quality. The plan continues the strategic investment in wastewater infrastructure, with funding for Uisce Éireann coming to over €2.3 billion since 2020.