Public Consultation on the Waters of LIFE Natura Impact Statement

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, TD, has published the Waters of LIFE Natura Impact Statement for consultation.

The Waters of LIFE IP is as a catchment-scale demonstration project to test and validate the effectiveness of implementing locally-tailored ‘best practice’ measures across a range of landscapes and land-uses typically associated with the catchments of high-status waters. The project will demonstrate the effective implementation of an integrated catchment-based approach for the application of measures to protect and/or restore all waters for which a high-status objective has been identified in Ireland’s River Basin Management Plan.

The purpose of this consultation is to seek the public’s views on the Natura Impact Statement. The Ecological Assessment Unit of the Housing, Local Government and Heritage shall have regard to any submissions or observations received during the public consultation. Following a review of the responses, the Ecological Assessment Unit will make a determination to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage pursuant to Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive.

An Appropriate Assessment is being conducted on the Natura Impact Assessment by the Ecological Assessment Unit, as required under Regulation 42 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021. This public consultation is being carried out in accordance with Regulation 42(13) of these Regulations. The Ecological Assessment Unit shall have regard to any submissions or observations received during the public consultation and may subsequently determine that the assessment shall, or shall not, adversely affect the integrity of a European site.

The Minister now invites members of the public to make submissions, observations and comments on the Natura Impact Assessment during the period from Monday 1st September 2025 to 5pm Monday 10th October 2025.

A copy of:

• Natura Impact Statement in support of Appropriate Assessment Waters of LIFE Supporting Actions
• Appendix 1

are all available for public inspection online and at the 90 North King Street (Smithfield) offices of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin 7, during office hours (9.15 to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9.15am to 5.15pm on Fridays, excluding public holidays) during the period from Monday 1st September 2025 to 5pm Monday 10th October 2025.

If you wish to view the documents in person, please email eau@npws.gov.ie or call (01) 888 2052 and reference the consultation to make an appointment.

Submissions or observations in relation to the Natura Impact Statement can be made either to eau@npws.gov.ie or by post to:

These submissions will be considered by the Ecological Assessment Unit (EAU) and will inform a determination pursuant to Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021.

Please note: that submissions received may be made available on the Government’s website. See the Consultation’s Privacy Statement under the Documents link for further information.

Natura Impact Statement

Appendix 1

All submissions and observations submitted to the Department for this purpose are subject to release under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014 and the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007-2014. Submissions are also subject to Data Protection legislation.

Personal, confidential or commercially sensitive information should not be included in your submission (other than your name and contact details). It will be presumed that all information contained in your submission is releasable under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Please note that all submissions and observations received may be made available on the Department’s website. In any event, all submissions received will be subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, Access to Information on the Environment Regulations, and Data Protection legislation. See also the Privacy Statement below.

Submissions and observations will be considered in the finalisation of the Natura Impact Assessment, as outlined above.