Sustainable Water Network (SWAN)

Lobbying Organisation Sustainable Water Network (SWAN)

Date published 20 Jan, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Environment

Period 1 Sep, 2024 to 31 Dec, 2024

Specific Details SWAN sent its general election manifesto with 5 key recommendtaions to a number of key politicians before the general election and again when negotiations for the new government took place.

Intended results Water Framework Directive risk assessments for all intensive farms implemented, including derogation farms, through a permitting/licensing system similar to pigs and poultry. Intensification should only be permitted if it can be demonstrated that it won’t impact on water quality. The risk assessments must take into account catchment-scale cumulative impacts and be informed by the EPA Pollution Impact Potential (PIP) and other maps. All wastewater plants and systems, identified as significant sewage pollution sources (impacting 197 water bodies) urgently upgraded as soon as is technically feasible. Any delays beyond 2027 must meet strict Water Framework Directive exemption criteria. Part of the Apple Tax Funds used to expedite this work, based on pollution risk . Forestry impacts, especially from damaging planting and felling practices, halted by ensuring licensing includes site-specific stipulations for water protection, taking account of catchment-scale cumulative impacts and the legal requirements of the Water Framework Directive. The Arterial Drainage Act 1945 reformed to remove the legal requirement to maintain river dredging and drainage to ensure compliance with EU environmental law. An ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas developed in Irish waters with at least 30% of the maritime area designated as Marine Protected Areas by 2030, with 10% ‘strictly’ protected in line with the EU’s 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, and implemented with a strong management framework.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Antóin McDermott

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (11-20)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Simon Harris An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Micheál Martin Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Roderic O'Gorman Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Helen McEntee Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)

John Paul O'Shea TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Cummins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Heydon Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paschal Donohoe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jack Chambers TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Darragh O'Brien TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Norma Foley TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mary Butler TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

James Lawless TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Majella Fitzpatrick Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)