Marian Harkin, MEP, on the Irish Exemption in Section 9.4 of the Water Framework Directive. Ireland's 'established practice' of funding our water through general taxation was recognised by Brussels and incorporated into this directive. The only way we can lose the exemption, Ms Harkin says, is if we give it away. The second phase of the River Base Management Plan is now being drafted by the Government and it is imperative that the 'established practice' clause be retained. Don't let the Government lose this vital exemption and don't accept what they and the EU Commission are telling us .