FAOLEX Database

Ireland - Aqualex Profiles

Framework Law

The main law applicable to water resources management, which covers all of the following areas: administration; management, conservation and use of freshwater resources; water rights; waterworks; water supply
No legislation available

Constitutional provisions

Constitution of Ireland.
Date of text: 14 June 2021

Right to water: No specific provisions regarding the right to water.

Natural resources: Article 10 states that all natural resources, if they are not lawfully vested in any person or body, belong to the State. Provision may also be made by law for the management of land, mines, minerals and waters acquired by the State after the coming into operation of this Constitution and for the control of the alienation, whether temporary or permanent, of the land, mines, minerals and waters so acquired.

Agriculture

Water used for irrigation, forestry and aquaculture
No legislation available

Water Supply and Sanitation

Provision of water services by public utilities or commercial organizations; water supply for domestic, industrial or other purposes; right to safe and clean drinking water and basic sanitation; quality of piped water; sewerage
Water Services Act 2007 (No. 30 of 2007).
Date of original text: 14 May 2007 (2018)
Water Services Act 2017 (No. 29 of 2017).
Date of text: 27 November 2017
Water Services Act 2013 (No. 6 of 2013).
Date of text: 20 March 2013

Governance

The political, social, economic and administrative systems that govern water management and conservation; good practices; good governance; decentralization; water user’s associations
Water Services Act 2007 (No. 30 of 2007).
Date of original text: 14 May 2007 (2018)
Water Services Act 2017 (No. 29 of 2017).
Date of text: 27 November 2017
Water Services Act 2013 (No. 6 of 2013).
Date of text: 20 March 2013

Infrastructure

Waterworks; water supply systems; dams; hydropower systems; irrigation systems
Water Services Act 2013 (No. 6 of 2013).
Date of text: 20 March 2013
Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act, 1955.
Date of original text: 30 November 1955 (2000)
Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act, 1995.
Date of original text: 17 July 1995 (2000)

Water Resources Management and Water Rights

Ownership and control of water resources; abstraction and diversion of water; allocation and quotas; riparian rights; priority of rights; free water use
European Union (Water Policy) (Abstractions Registration) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 261 of 2018).
Date of text: 16 July 2018
European Union (Water Policy) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 350 of 2014).
Date of text: 24 July 2014
European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 9 of 2010).
Date of text: 20 January 2010

Water and Environment

Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act, 1929.
Date of original text: 11 July 1929 (2000)
Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act, 1955.
Date of original text: 30 November 1955 (2000)
Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act, 1995.
Date of original text: 17 July 1995 (2000)

Water Quality and Pollution Control

Control of pollution and quality of freshwater bodies and groundwater; agricultural point and non-point sources of pollution; water quality standards
Water Services Act 2007 (No. 30 of 2007).
Date of original text: 14 May 2007 (2018)
Water Supplies Act, 1942.
Date of original text: 24 February 1942 (2000)
Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 (No. 2 of 2012).
Date of text: 02 February 2012

Groundwater

Freshwater resources located below the surface of the earth; aquifers; groundwater abstraction; well-sinking; boreholes; hydrogeology
European Union (Water Policy) (Abstractions Registration) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 261 of 2018).
Date of text: 16 July 2018
European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 605 of 2017).
Date of text: 20 December 2017
European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 366 of 2016).
Date of text: 07 July 2016

Disaster Resilience

Water-related hazards; flood; drought; water shortage; adaptation to climate change; early warning system/emergency intervention system
Barrow Drainage Act, 1933.
Date of original text: 22 August 1933 (2000)
Barrow Drainage Act, 1927.
Date of text: 28 May 1927
European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Flood Risk) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 470 of 2012).
Date of text: 25 October 2012

Transboundary Waters

Transboundary effects; international basin institutions; international agreements; transboundary coordination; transboundary aquifers
European Communities (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 388 of 2009).
Date of text: 23 September 2009

Policies

Review of Irish National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.
Date of text: 01 February 2019
Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025.
Date of text: 01 May 2018
Project Ireland 2040. National Planning Framework.
Date of text: 01 February 2018
Ireland River Basin Management Plan 2018 – 2021.
Date of text: 14 June 2021
Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020.
Date of text: 14 June 2021
National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017 - 2021.
Date of text: 14 June 2021
Irish Water Services Strategic Plan.
Date of text: 01 October 2015
National Hazardous Waste Management Plan.
Date of text: 01 January 1970

Main basins

Bann
Erne
Fane
Foyle
Castletown
Flurry