Rivers Bodies

Local Authorities and Irish Water

The local authority is the planning authority for the county. Unless exempted, all work, and changes of use of land require planning permission. Works cover most physical changes to the land. There are significant exemptions for agricultural use and work.

Under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977 and 1990 and the Water Services Act 2007 to 2017, local authorities are responsible for the issuing of effluent discharge licences for effluents discharged to waters. Until 1st January 2014, local authorities were responsible for issuing effluent discharge licences for effluents discharged to sewers under the provisions of Section 16 of the (Water Pollution Act) 1977.

Irish Water are now responsible for the issuing of effluent discharge licences for effluents discharged to sewers under the provisions of Section 7 of the Water Services (No.2) Act 2013 (which transfers part of the functions of the local authorities to Irish Water)

Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency was established in 1992 and is based in Wexford. It is the principal body responsible for climate change, water and air pollution, waste, and biodiversity.

It has an advisory role and a licensing role. Most of the major environmental licences are issued by the authority.

It has an important role in water and wastewater policy. It is central to monitoring and assessment of compliance.

Office of Public Works / Department of Finance

The OPW  has existed for nearly 200 years. It is a branch of the Department of Finance. It holds and manages much State land.

The OPW is central to the management of flood risk in the State. It implements the Floods directive and coordinates policy on drainage and flooding.

The Office of Public Works has played a major role in relation to flood relief works. It is required to maintain drainage works. Under drainage legislation, changes to existing drainage schemes and some alterations of a  weir may require the consent of the OPW.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has a wide role in relation to the conservation of ecosystems. It is part of the Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

It is involved in designating and advising on special designations. It is responsible for the wildlife, national parks and nature services strategy and for peatland policy.

IFI and Loughs Agency

Inland Fisheries Ireland is responsible for the administration of fishing legislation and licensing. It includes controls over anything that interferes with fishing and spawning grounds.

The Foyle Fisheries Commission was established for the management of fisheries in Lough Foyle and its vicinity in 1952. The Loughs Agency, an all-island body under the British-Irish agreement, took over the functions of the Commission.

Waterways Ireland

Waterways Ireland is one of six North/South Implementation Bodies established under the British-Irish Agreement of 1998.    It is the cross-border navigational authority responsible for the management, maintenance, development and promotion of over 1000 km of inland navigable waterways, principally for recreational purposes.

Coillte

Coillte is the State forestry company and manages forests. It succeeded the Department of Forestry in 1988. It has significant powers in forested areas in relation to a range of matters.

It manages an estate of some 440,000 hectares throughout the country.

Departments

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine play a vital role in environmental matters. It administers the basic payment scheme with built-in good agricultural and environmental condition statutory management requirements as well as the environmental enhancements GLAS and [EPOS].

The Department of the Environment, now known as the Department of Communications Climate Action and the Environment, plays a central role in environmental policy. Some of its functions have been passed to other departments in the 2020 reorganisation.

The Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht includes the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which manages the state’s nature conservation responsibilities under national and European law. A particular responsibility of the NPWS is the designation and protection of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). (www.npws.ie )