Article Inshore Ireland 06th October 2006

ENGO - Government partnership for the Water Framework Directive.

A unique partnership took place on Friday September 29th at the County Hall, Cork, between a national ENGO – Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment (Voice) – and the South West River Basin District (SWRBD).

The partnership event “A Future for our Waters” was a one day conference aimed at the members of the newly established Advisory Councils and other agencies, involved in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.

The aim of the conference was to support the new Advisory Council members in coming up to speed with all the issues and requirements entailed in the development of river basin management plans. Speakers with a wide spectrum experience and a range of different perspectives on the Water Framework Directive and its implementation were invited to address the delegates. They included Colin Byrne - DoEHLG, Séan Ó’Breasail - SWRBD, Sinead O’Brien, - Sustainable Water Network (SWAN), Tom Dunne - Chair IFA Environment Committee, Eamonn Moore Chair Trout Anglers’ Federation of Ireland, Mike Donaghy - Fresh Water Policy Officer WWF Scotland, and Jacinta Reynolds Cork County Council and John Mullholland, Carlow County Council.

The conference recognised that the Advisory Councils provide a unique opportunity for interested parties, from across a range of sectors, to become actively involved in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
However achieving good water quality is a complex task facing everyone and it cannot be achieved without public consultation, awareness and participation by all interested parties.

By pooling ENGO and government resources, not only did the conference successfully address these issues but it also demonstrated the potential to be found in ENGO – government initiatives.

Voice would like to thank the City Mayor, Michael Ahern, who opened the
conference on Thursday evening and Minister Bat O’Keefe. T.D. who delivered the opening address to the delegates on Friday morning.

Voice would especially like to thank Séan Ó’Breasail, for facilitating such a successful partnership.

Conference presentations and proceedings can be obtained from the VOICE and SWRBD websites (www.voiceireland.org / www.swrbd.ie).