C-

REPRESENTATION PERMANENTE RUE FROISSART 89-93
DE L’IRLANDE
AUPRES DE

L’UNION EUROPEENNE

1040 BRUXELLES

TEL. 2230 85 80

 

FAX 230 32 03

2 November, 1999. DG ENV 19/11/99 17142 A
Er 37 — —
ATTR: B3 I /
: E.1
Secretary General E | |
Commission of the European Union
Rue de la Loi 200
B-1049 Brussels ARCH | con U] >sO] >P._D

Dear Secretary General

| have been asked by my authorities to refer further to the Reasoned Opinion of the
Commission which issued on 12 June, 1997 concerning Ireland's impiementation of
Directive 76/464/EEC (pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged
into the aquatic environment) and to provide an update on the current position.

The strategy document "Managing Ireland's Rivers and Lakes - A Catchment-Based
Strategy Against Eutrophication" (which was forwarded to the Commission in June
1997) provides a comprehensive response to the single biggest threat to water
quality in Ireland i.e. increasing levels of eutrophication in rivers and lakes due to
excessive inputs of phosphorus. The water quality standards for phosphorus which
are prescribed in the Local Government (Water Pollution Act) 1977 (Water Quality
Standards for Phosphorous) Regulations, 1998 (S.l. No. 258 of 1998) (a copy of
which was sent to the Commission in August 1998) establish on a statutory basis the
interim targets to be achieved under the strategy.

In May 1999, my authorities forwarded for your information a copy of draft
Regulations which propose the establishment of statutory water quality standards for
an additional 15 substances. While of much less significance in terms of water
quality in Ireland, these substances were deemed to merit priority consideration for
regulation. An internal discussion document which outlined the background to the
draft Regulations was also supplied to the Commission for information.

Since June, my authorities have engaged in an extensive consultation process with a
wide range of interested parties. This process will be compieted shortiy with the
expectation that the Regulations will be finalised by end 1999.

In the light of the position outlined above, my authorities respectfully request that the
Commission defer consideration of further action in this matter at the present time.

Environment Attache

cc. 3 Environment,
——e  )G Environment.