Bill will eventually arrive if we continue to trade environmental relief for short-term relief

Decisions made in Brussels and Dublin over the next few years will shape our rivers, lakes, and coasts for decades to come, writes Jenny Lawler

The new directive expands the list of priority substances to include pharmaceuticals, bisphenols, and the family of per- and poly-fluoroalkylated 'forever chemicals'. Picture: iStock

Every year, swimmers across the country see the same warning signs: Do not swim — water quality advisory. 

Beneath those red flags lies a deeper story about how Ireland’s natural environment is changing, and how decisions made in Brussels and Dublin over the next few years will shape our rivers, lakes, and coasts for decades to come.