NORTH–SOUTH COORDINATION IN IRELAND'S INTERNATIONAL RIVER BASIN DISTRICTS

Abstract

The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims to promote common approaches, standards and measures for water management on a systematic and comparable basis throughout the EU. All waters must be managed on the basis of natural geographical areas called river basin districts (RBDs). Within the EU many RBDs are shared by member states. These cross-border districts are called international RBDs (IRBDs), in accordance with Article 3.3 of the WFD. Member states are required to coordinate their efforts in these international districts, with the aim of produc ing a single river basin management plan covering each entire district (Article 13.2). There are three IRBDs on the island of Ireland, all straddling the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland?the North Western, Neagh Bann and Shannon districts. The compe tent authorities identified in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland with responsibility for implementation of the directive have taken significant steps to harmonise the approaches adopted in the two jurisdictions. So far, the competent authorities have maintained a high level of coordi nation and have successfully met all of the directive's milestones. Katie Murphy (corresponding author; email: Katie. Murphy@rpsgroup. com), RPS Consulting Engineers, West Pier Business Campus, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin; Grace Glasgow, RPS Consulting Engineers, Elmwood House, 74 Boucher Road, Belfast, BT12 6RZ.