Our Mission

2. Our Mission • To protect and enhance the quality ofIreland’s waters and to promote the ecologically sustainable management of all our aquatic resources through active participation in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive • Mission Today • To explore how the partners of SWAN can contribute to achieving the objectives of the WFD through co-operation with members of the National Enforcement Network

3. Aims • To increase public awareness of the importance of good water quality for: • Public health; • Ecosystems and biodiversity; • Leisure and tourism; • Economic and environmental sustainability • and to show how, through the WFD, Ireland's aquatic resources will be protected for future generations. • To facilitate the participation of all interested eNGOs in the implementation of the WFD • To provide informed critical analysis at all stages of WFD implementation

4. SWAN Partners – National • An Taisce • Bat Conservation Ireland • Birdwatch Ireland • Coastwatch Europe Network • Coomhola Salmon Trust Ltd./’Streamscapes’ • Eco-UNESCO • Friends of the Earth Ireland • Friends of the Irish Environment • Inland Waterways Association of Ireland

5. SWAN Partners – National contd. • Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association • Irish Peatland Conservation Council • Irish Seal Sanctuary • Irish Water and Fish Preservation Society • Irish Whale and Dolphin Group • Irish Wildlife Trust • VOICE of Irish Concern for the Environment

6. SWAN Partners –Local & Regional • CLEAN Cavan Leitrim Environmental Awareness Network • CarraMaskCorrib Water Protection Group • Cork Environmental Forum • County Nature Trust(Cork) • Killarney Nature Conservation Group • Longford Environmental Alliance • Lough Ree Conservation Society

7. SWAN Partners – Regional contd. • Macroom District Environmental Group • Meitheal Mara • Roscommon Eco Network • Save Our Lake and Valley Environment, SOLVE • Save Our Lough Derg,SOLD • Save Our Lough Ree, SOLR • Save the Swilly, STS

8. Our Mission • To protect and enhance the quality ofIreland’s waters and to promote the ecologically sustainable management of all our aquatic resources through active participation in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive • Similar to……………

9. Mission of the EPA • “To protect and improve the natural environment for present and future generations……” • Mission of Local Authorities: • “The overall purpose of the Department is protecting and enhancing our environment for present and future generations”

10. Office of Environmental Enforcement: • “… it is imperative that all state bodies and other interested parties, that can contribute to improved implementation and enforcement of water-related legislation, co-operate with each other and work towards a common goal.”

11. Co-operation Key to Success • This cooperation holds the key to success in: • Full enforcement ofwater related environmental legislation; • Achieving the “onerous” targets of the entire Water Framework Directive.

12. Environmental Enforcement & WFD • The Licencing Issue & the role of EPA & LAs are a vital part of WFD • Public Participation intrinsic part of the WFD • SWAN dedicated to full participation in the WFD process • So we are also fully committed to contributing to improved enforcement of water-related legislation • Inevitable tensions & misgivings

13. Concerns • Many members of the public and of SWAN have grave concerns about decisions & actions either taken or not taken by the EPA & LAs • High level of scepticism regarding past and present failures of the EPA & LAs in executing their duty to protect the aquatic environment

14. How to Address These? • To build confidence amongst the community and amongst SWAN groups these difficulties have to be acknowledged • The reasons for them investigated & explored • They must act as an even stronger incentive to work towards real communication & mutual respect

15. Today • Highlight specific concerns of the public and SWAN groups regarding reporting of suspected pollution incidents • Positive suggestions for improvement

16. Response to Reporting of Suspected Pollution Incidents • Lack of satisfactory response or follow-up to reports registered with Statutory Agencies • “We are looking into this matter and will be in touch in due course” • Person who registers the complaint becomes the problem rather than the reported incident

17. Reporting Suspected Pollution Incidents - Positive Suggestions • Customer charter for all agencies with responsibility for water protection, setting down a protocol for dealing with reports from members of the public • Clear transparent procedure: • Each report logged, given an incident number; who the information was passed on to and what action was taken • All this information then easily and readily available to the public

18. Pollution Hotline • Free 24 hr hotline for reporting environmental incidents • Avoids person being sent from one agency to another and eventually giving up • Must be made as simple and as easy as possible for members of the public to complement the work of the EEN • Anglers, walkers, boaters - These are your eyes and ears on Ireland’s water bodies

19. New Departure • The WFD represents a radical new departure in the area of environmental protection and water management. • Let’s take the opportunity of this radical new Framework to make a new startin the way environmental groups and Public Bodies work together

20. Invitation • For all Local Authorities and other EENmembers to meet with SWAN representatives in a spirit of collaboration and openness to discuss our differences & how our two networks can really work together to achieve our common goal:

21. Common Goal • Full enforcement of environmental legislation • Protection &enhancement of all our water bodies so that: • We achieve ‘Good status’for Ireland’srivers, lakes, streams and coastal & groundwaters by 2015 and • We can be proud to pass them on to future generations

22. Launch of new SWAN website: www.swanireland.ie