Among the breaches is the manner in which the State regulates heavy water users who take directly from rivers and lakes for agricultural, industrial or commercial uses. Photograph: Alan BetsonThe Republic has been found in breach of multiple water quality and management regulations in a ruling that also raises questions about the way water charges are structured. The ruling from the European Court of Justice found 14 breaches of the EU’s Water Framework Directive. Among the breaches is the manner in which the Republic regulates heavy water users who take water directly from rivers and lakes for agricultural, industrial or commercial uses. The Sustainable Water Network (Swan), an alliance of 25 environmental organisations, said the ruling was a “national embarrassment”.

Source: The Irish Times November 21, 2025 21:19 UTC