Ireland has been referred to the European Court of Justice for failing to transpose the Water Framework directive into national law correctly.

The directive provides a framework for protecting inland and coastal waters and groundwater by preventing pollution and protecting water-dependent ecosystems and water resources.

Member states are obliged to establish river basin management plans, as an important element of the EU’s “zero pollution ambition” under its “Green Deal”.

The European Commission says EU member states were required to transpose the Water Framework Directive into national law by December 22nd, 2003.

“Ireland initially adopted legislation, but the Commission found it to be insufficient,” it says. A formal notice to Ireland was sent in October 2007, and a reasoned opinion in November 2011.

“Despite some progress and the adoption of new legislation in June 2022, the Irish authorities have not yet fully addressed the grievances, over 20 years after the entry into force of this directive,” the Commission says in a statement.

“Ireland's transposing law still needs to provide for appropriate controls in the following areas: water abstraction, impoundment and activities causing hydro-morphological changes such as dams, weirs and other interferences in natural water flow,” it says.

“The Commission considers that efforts by the Irish authorities have to date been unsatisfactory and insufficient and is therefore referring Ireland to the Court of Justice of the European Union,” it says.

Ireland presented a new Water Environment Bill on September 28th, 2022, which is now with the Dáil for debate and adoption.

The Commission says that in spite of this legislative move, it “is not clear how long it will take for full compliance to be achieved”.