MEP MARIAN HARKIN TO SPONSOR REPRESENTATIVES OF ' OUR WATER ' TO BRUSSELS

February 27, 2018

Marian Harkin, MEP, invited ‘Our Water’ group to explore and assess possibilities of saving Ireland's endangered European 9.4 Domestic Water Charges exemption.

Citizens from around the country have formed a group called ‘Our Water’. Representatives of the group held a meeting in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, on February 9th, 2018 with MEP Marian Harkin.

Ms Harkin agreed to lend her full support to the group.

The Our Water group insist that the Irish Government’s failure to renew Ireland's 9.4 Exemption will be disastrous for the people and it will mean a return to 1) Water Metering 2) Water Billing and 3) The possibility of Water Privatisation.

Michael Mooney, spokesperson for ‘Our Water’ said “Irish people haven't given up their fight, only our politicians have done that. We demand that the government protect the peoples’ interests and renew and maintain our 9.4 Exemption. If they don’t, our right to and control of this invaluable resource, will be handed over to Brussels and private interests."

*Members of the Our Water’ group meeting with MEP Marian Harkin. L to R; Brendan Kelly, Enda Craig, Marian Harkin, Mark McAuley, James Quigley and Michael Mooney*

Ms Harkin agreed to help the group explore the possibilities of saving the 9.4 Exemption as contained in the Water Framework Directive, 2000/60/EC.

The Exemption allows Ireland to opt out of full cost recovery of domestic charges if the Government so wish. Ireland is now on the brink of doing away with it forever and if this happens the Irish Government will be responsible. This point was emphasised by Ms Harkin at the meeting when she said that if this clause is not invoked in the next River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) then the Irish Government will hand power to Brussels who will determine our domestic funding and infrastructure. The next draft RBMP can be viewed on DHPLG website and is due to be submitted to Brussels in April 2018. Unfortunately the public will not have the opportunity to view the final plan until it is submitted to Brussels.

By that stage it could be too late.

Our Water facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/177113226349071/?ref=br_rs

EC Insists Irish Government Must Amend Planning Legislation

August 25, 2016

by Enda Craig, August 25, 2016

Enda Craig, CFCE, Marian Harkin, MEP & Don McGinley, CFCE

Independent MEP Marian Harkin met with representatives of the ‘Save the Foyle – Community for a Clean Estuary’ (CFCE) for an update on the proposed Moville/Greencastle Waste Water Treatment Plant discharge pipe. She is pictured in Moville with Enda Craig (left) and Dr. Don McGinley of the CFCE.

Referring to her meeting with the representatives of the CFCE Marian Harkin said that the Moville/Greencastle waste water project was a classic example of mismanagement by planning authorities, state agencies and the Department of the Environment. “However working with CFCE we have so far prevented wrong decisions being taken which could irreparably damage the ecosystem of the Foyle Estuary and it once more highlights the ability of the European Commission to protect the interest of citizens when a Member State does not”, she said.

The European Commission has said that Ireland is in breach of EU legislation and must amend their environmental impact assessment legislation to comply with EU requirements. In effect this means that the waste water treatment cannot go ahead as planned. “All we want is the best outcome for this project, the people of Moville, Greencastle and surrounding areas deserve nothing less”, the Independent MEP maintained. She pledged to continue to work closely with CFCE and the European Commission to ensure that no dubious political or irresponsible decisions were taken which would lead to unacceptable discharge of damaging waste to vulnerable waters and fish life.

I received communication this week from Ms Antoinette Long, case handler for Ireland infringements, European Commission. Ms Long, who is working on our 'Moville / waste water discharge licencing (EU pilot 8542/16)' said

“I can confirm that the Irish authorities have confirmed their intention to amend their legislation in order to comply with the EIA Directive insofar as waste water discharge licencing is concerned.
However, we are currently clarifying certain aspects of the replies provided by the Irish authorities and have asked further questions in this regard.

In addition, we have been informed that Irish Water has confirmed that the licence application for the proposed Moville plant is no longer current and has committed to not submitting a new application until the proposed legislative changes are made.”

This is a massive decision by the European Commission who have now found in favour of the CFCE against the Irish Government in breach of European Legislation. This decision vindicates the lengthy campaign (26 years) by the CFCE to ensure this project was carried out properly and in accordance with correct European planning legislation.

Members of Community For A Clean Estuary are looking forward to the conclusion to this long running debacle. It is hoped that the competent authority will begin the process of identifying, with the support of the local communities, a suitable and acceptable location for this long overdue and essential Waste Water Treatment Plant for the Moville and Greencastle areas.

MEP Marian Harkin - Irish Water Charges, who decides, Brussels or Dublin?

July 8, 2016

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 .