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REPRESENTATION PERMANENTE ! BvE FRoIssanr 89-93
DE L’IRLANDE
AUPRES DE

L’UNION EUROPEENNE

1040 BRUXELLES
TEL. 230 836 80

 

FAX 230 32 03

4 June, 1999

Gert. u
Director General
DGX1 - Environment, Nuclear
Safety and Civil Protection
Rue de la Loi 200
B-1049 Brussels

 

Dear Director General,

| have been asked by my authorities to refer to your letter of 30 October, 1998
concerning the above and to update you on the position regarding review of the
designation of vulnerable zones as required under article 3 (4) of the Directive.

As you will be aware, the initial programme of monitoring carried out under the
Directive indicated that there was no basis for designating vulnerable zones in
Ireland. In January, 1997, local authorities were directed to carry out a repeat
programme of monitoring of nitrate levels in surface waters and groundwaters as
required under Article 6 (1) (b) ofthe Directive. The results of this monitoring
programme have been the subject of detailed assessment by my authorities for
some time. The level of detail involved and the need for appropriate
consultation with the monitoring authorities has resulted in the exercise taking
longer than originally anticipated. However, my authorities hope to finalise
their assessments quite shortly and also the review of the eutrophic state of
surface waters, as required under article 6 (1) (c).

It is expected that any vulnerable zones will be designated, and Regulations
made to provide for any such designations, during the third quarter of the year.

2

My authorities will keep you advised of progress in this regard as soon as
possible.

Yours sincerely,

 

eo nn .

Environment Attache.

gu
c.c. I