Government accused of 'dropping the ball' on plans to protect waterways

The Sustainable Water Network, made up of 25 environmental groups such as Cork Environmental Forum, Cork Nature Network, Birdwatch Ireland, and the Irish Wildlife Trust, accused the Government of dropping the ball in relation to the current River Basin Management Plan. Picture: Larry Cummins

The Government has come under fire from a range of environmental organisations over perceived weaknesses in its plans to safeguard coastal areas, rivers, and lakes — half of which still show significant levels of pollution.

The Sustainable Water Network (Swan), made up of 25 environmental groups such as Cork Environmental Forum, Cork Nature Network, Birdwatch Ireland, and the Irish Wildlife Trust, accused the Government of dropping the ball in relation to the current River Basin Management Plan.