SERBD River Basin Management Group Meeting 12 th December 2007 Synopsis of Public Meetings

DateVenue 19th NovemberNewpark Hotel, Kilkenny 20th NovemberComfort Inn, Portlaoise 21st NovemberClonmel Park Hotel,Clonmel 22nd NovemberRiverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy

Attendance Kilkenny 17 people Portlaoise 7 people Clonmel 19 people Enniscorthy 15 people Meetings ran from 7.00pm to around 9.30pm pm People who attended included IFA, An Taisce, farmers, local environmental, angling and interested groups and members of the public. Local Authority staff and members were also present at the meetings.

General issues raised UWWTPs Unsewered areas Landfills/quarries Agriculture Forestry Dangerous Substances Physical alterations Abstractions Local issues

Local Issues raised Kilkenny Attendance was mixed with different interested groups represented It was noted that planning permission has been granted before the infrastructure is in place Water conservation initiatives and taxes on chemicals that affect septic tank operation were suggested It was noted that as a result of abstractions the level of River Barrow has decreased greatly over the last 20 years The issue of loss of water from leaking pipes was raised The designation of just the Nore main channel as salmonid was queried and it was suggested that many of the major tributaries should also be designated salmonid.

Local Issues raised Portlaoise Attendance was dominated by IFA representatives Agricultural issues discussed including the implementation of the Nitrates Action Programme The issue of the assimilative capacity of the River Triogue Rainwater harvesting was suggested as a measure The protected areas designation to protect the freshwater pearl mussel at Durrow was queried

Local Issues raised Clonmel Attendance was mixed with different interested groups represented The issues of development on floodplains and draining of wetlands were raised It was suggested that there should be a provision for the North and South Tipperary County Councils to come together The issue of toxic discharges from quarries in the area was raised It was noted that growth in populations in towns has put all systems under pressure from water supply to treatment

Local Issues raised Enniscorthy Attendance was mixed with different interested groups represented The issue of abstractions from the River Slaney was raised The issues of poorly performing WWTP and septic tanks was raised It was noted that growth in populations in towns has put all systems under pressure from water supply to treatment Use of incentives for good environmental practice was suggested as a measure

General There is a need for infrastructure before development Linkage between plans – need for “joined-up thinking” There is overall support for the WFD –agreement that process is good Suggested use of alternative technologies – digestors, reed beds, water harvesting Education/awareness programmes/events needed

Resourcing Resources – human and financial Water conservation measures –Metering, charging –Need for understanding of the “value of water” Apply environmental economics –Incentives for use of sustainable, eco-friendly products e.g. phosphate-free detergents –Tax/levy on non eco-friendly products