@sineadh2o.bsky.social
Government gaming the numbers by granting sweeping exemptions to hundreds of waterbodies. Handy stroke of the pen for the Minister before Christmas, giving himself less work to do next year protecting rivers. Nice 👏👏👏
Despite nearly 1000 of you making submissions to halt the weakening of environmental standards for 1 in 10 of our rivers and lakes the govt signed off on it! 😥
This, without the evidence that such a drastic move was either necessary or justified. It is unacceptable.
swanireland.ie/2025/12/weak...
This, without the evidence that such a drastic move was either necessary or justified. It is unacceptable.
swanireland.ie/2025/12/weak...
Weakening of protections for a tenth of our rivers and lakes is just unacceptable - Sustainable Water Network
Two of Ireland’s leading environmental groups, the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) and The Rivers Trust, have today called the Government’s sign off on the designation of a tenth (466) of our rivers,...
swanireland.ie
December 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Government gaming the numbers by granting sweeping exemptions to hundreds of waterbodies. Handy stroke of the pen for the Minister before Christmas, giving himself less work to do next year protecting rivers. Nice 👏👏👏
A catalogue of water failures. And an indication of the battle we have ahead in 2026 to protect our rivers, lakes and seas from the march of deregulation and a government cleaving ever more to commercial interests.
Onwards! 💙🌊✊🩵
Onwards! 💙🌊✊🩵
It's worth cataloguing what has happened in the water world in the last few weeks alone.
It paints a picture of a Government who are not at all prioritising the health of our waterways, and who are failing on multiple fronts to put in place the measures we actually need.
A watery rant 🧵
It paints a picture of a Government who are not at all prioritising the health of our waterways, and who are failing on multiple fronts to put in place the measures we actually need.
A watery rant 🧵
December 18, 2025 at 4:07 PM
A catalogue of water failures. And an indication of the battle we have ahead in 2026 to protect our rivers, lakes and seas from the march of deregulation and a government cleaving ever more to commercial interests.
Onwards! 💙🌊✊🩵
Onwards! 💙🌊✊🩵
Reposted
98% of sludge from #IrishWater’s sewage plants is spread on land. While we have done a lot of research on impacts on #water quality I found very few researchers working on what it does to #soil and #food. Seems like a bit of an oversight now 👇
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
More than 520 chemicals found in English soil, including long-banned medical substances
Fertilising arable land with human waste leaves array of toxins that could re-enter food chain, study finds
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:57 PM
98% of sludge from #IrishWater’s sewage plants is spread on land. While we have done a lot of research on impacts on #water quality I found very few researchers working on what it does to #soil and #food. Seems like a bit of an oversight now 👇
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted
An interesting poll on public attitudes to water and the derogation:
'Irish people want clean, healthy waters, it’s time the Government actually started protecting that precious resource, instead of giving it lip service while prioritising the demands of the agri-business industry'
'Irish people want clean, healthy waters, it’s time the Government actually started protecting that precious resource, instead of giving it lip service while prioritising the demands of the agri-business industry'
A new Ireland Thinks poll, commissioned by An Taisce, reveals Irish public appear at odds with Government’s application for a derogation from EU Nitrates Directive.
It comes days before a crucial EU vote on the derogation expected on December 9th.
Full results:
www.antaisce.org/news/public-...
It comes days before a crucial EU vote on the derogation expected on December 9th.
Full results:
www.antaisce.org/news/public-...
December 4, 2025 at 11:28 AM
An interesting poll on public attitudes to water and the derogation:
'Irish people want clean, healthy waters, it’s time the Government actually started protecting that precious resource, instead of giving it lip service while prioritising the demands of the agri-business industry'
'Irish people want clean, healthy waters, it’s time the Government actually started protecting that precious resource, instead of giving it lip service while prioritising the demands of the agri-business industry'
Reposted
A new Ireland Thinks poll, commissioned by An Taisce, reveals Irish public appear at odds with Government’s application for a derogation from EU Nitrates Directive.
It comes days before a crucial EU vote on the derogation expected on December 9th.
Full results:
www.antaisce.org/news/public-...
It comes days before a crucial EU vote on the derogation expected on December 9th.
Full results:
www.antaisce.org/news/public-...
December 4, 2025 at 11:24 AM
A new Ireland Thinks poll, commissioned by An Taisce, reveals Irish public appear at odds with Government’s application for a derogation from EU Nitrates Directive.
It comes days before a crucial EU vote on the derogation expected on December 9th.
Full results:
www.antaisce.org/news/public-...
It comes days before a crucial EU vote on the derogation expected on December 9th.
Full results:
www.antaisce.org/news/public-...
Reposted
This is BIG and we hope the @ec.europa.eu is listening for the next Omnibus packages!
❗Laws cannot be weakened in this way
❗Stop immediately with the watering down of environmental protections through rushed, non-democratic processes
#NoToOmnibus
⬇️
friendsoftheearth.eu/press-releas...
❗Laws cannot be weakened in this way
❗Stop immediately with the watering down of environmental protections through rushed, non-democratic processes
#NoToOmnibus
⬇️
friendsoftheearth.eu/press-releas...
EU watchdog slams Commission’s undemocratic environmental rollbacks - Friends of the Earth Europe
The EU Commission violated fundamental principles of good administration in rolling back environmental + human rights protections (Omnibus I)
friendsoftheearth.eu
November 27, 2025 at 4:13 PM
This is BIG and we hope the @ec.europa.eu is listening for the next Omnibus packages!
❗Laws cannot be weakened in this way
❗Stop immediately with the watering down of environmental protections through rushed, non-democratic processes
#NoToOmnibus
⬇️
friendsoftheearth.eu/press-releas...
❗Laws cannot be weakened in this way
❗Stop immediately with the watering down of environmental protections through rushed, non-democratic processes
#NoToOmnibus
⬇️
friendsoftheearth.eu/press-releas...
Reposted
EU decision-makers are on a mission to roll back vital nature laws.
Our response to that? #HandsOffNature!
Environmental laws need no fixing; they need enforcing. Leave them intact.
Read more in our 'EU simplification explained' FAQ 👉 wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/eu...
Our response to that? #HandsOffNature!
Environmental laws need no fixing; they need enforcing. Leave them intact.
Read more in our 'EU simplification explained' FAQ 👉 wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/eu...
November 27, 2025 at 3:26 PM
EU decision-makers are on a mission to roll back vital nature laws.
Our response to that? #HandsOffNature!
Environmental laws need no fixing; they need enforcing. Leave them intact.
Read more in our 'EU simplification explained' FAQ 👉 wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/eu...
Our response to that? #HandsOffNature!
Environmental laws need no fixing; they need enforcing. Leave them intact.
Read more in our 'EU simplification explained' FAQ 👉 wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/eu...
Reposted
Half of Cork farms inspected by Council failed water quality protection regulations
www.independent.ie/regionals/co...
www.independent.ie/regionals/co...
Half of Cork farms inspected by Council failed water quality protection regulations
Half of the farms inspected by Cork County Council under the National Agriculture Inspection Programme (NAIP) this year have failed to comply with the government’s Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) reg...
www.independent.ie
November 24, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Half of Cork farms inspected by Council failed water quality protection regulations
www.independent.ie/regionals/co...
www.independent.ie/regionals/co...
They've had 25 years to get this right, with countless warnings from the EU and with environmental groups hoarse from sounding the alarm. Yet here we are. It really is time for things to change.
A ‘national embarrassment’: Ireland in breach of multiple water quality rules, court finds
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
A ‘national embarrassment’: Ireland in breach of multiple water quality rules, court finds
European Court of Justice ruling raises questions about Government’s system of water charges
www.irishtimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:47 AM
They've had 25 years to get this right, with countless warnings from the EU and with environmental groups hoarse from sounding the alarm. Yet here we are. It really is time for things to change.
Catherine Connolly has been a great supporter of animal welfare and environmental causes that are close to my heart. She said climate change and biodiversity would be one of the three themes of her presidency. Heather Humphreys on the other hand supports hare coursing and fox hunting.
October 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Catherine Connolly has been a great supporter of animal welfare and environmental causes that are close to my heart. She said climate change and biodiversity would be one of the three themes of her presidency. Heather Humphreys on the other hand supports hare coursing and fox hunting.
Reposted
No surprises here but will the rhetoric change? I doubt it.
'Despite all the rhetoric about saving our nitrates derogation and turning the tide on water quality in Ireland, there is still no evidence of the necessary improvement across the board in our waters.'
www.antaisce.org/news/decade-...
'Despite all the rhetoric about saving our nitrates derogation and turning the tide on water quality in Ireland, there is still no evidence of the necessary improvement across the board in our waters.'
www.antaisce.org/news/decade-...
Decade-long decline: Irish waterways continue to be polluted
Latest Water Quality Report from the Environmental Protection Agency indicates decreases in overall ecological quality of our waters
www.antaisce.org
October 14, 2025 at 9:25 AM
No surprises here but will the rhetoric change? I doubt it.
'Despite all the rhetoric about saving our nitrates derogation and turning the tide on water quality in Ireland, there is still no evidence of the necessary improvement across the board in our waters.'
www.antaisce.org/news/decade-...
'Despite all the rhetoric about saving our nitrates derogation and turning the tide on water quality in Ireland, there is still no evidence of the necessary improvement across the board in our waters.'
www.antaisce.org/news/decade-...
Reposted
The shocking list of chemicals and treatments that are allowed to be used in so called 'organic' salmon from fish farms in Ireland highlighted by SWAN Marine & Coastal Policy Officer at the @salmonwatchireland.bsky.social conference.
October 11, 2025 at 11:33 AM
The shocking list of chemicals and treatments that are allowed to be used in so called 'organic' salmon from fish farms in Ireland highlighted by SWAN Marine & Coastal Policy Officer at the @salmonwatchireland.bsky.social conference.
Reposted
🚫 Say NO to toxic trade! The EU-Mercosur deal fuels deforestation, deepens climate chaos & hurts small farmers. Stop this corporate power grab! 📩 Email your politician now!
www.environmentalpillar.ie/stopeumercos...
✊ #StopEUMercosur
www.environmentalpillar.ie/stopeumercos...
✊ #StopEUMercosur
Take action: Stop the climate-wrecking EU-Mercosur Trade Deal - The Environmental Pillar
The EU-Mercosur trade agreement will benefit a handful of big corporations while driving deforestation, the climate crisis and exposing small-scale farmers to unfair competition. Join our call and say...
www.environmentalpillar.ie
September 23, 2025 at 2:13 PM
🚫 Say NO to toxic trade! The EU-Mercosur deal fuels deforestation, deepens climate chaos & hurts small farmers. Stop this corporate power grab! 📩 Email your politician now!
www.environmentalpillar.ie/stopeumercos...
✊ #StopEUMercosur
www.environmentalpillar.ie/stopeumercos...
✊ #StopEUMercosur
Reposted
Only 2 days left to tell decision-makers: #HandsOffNature. Join over 150,000 citizens defending EU nature laws! If you are against the weakening of EU nature laws, now is the moment to speak up. Your voice matters. Use it now: birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/adv...
September 8, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Only 2 days left to tell decision-makers: #HandsOffNature. Join over 150,000 citizens defending EU nature laws! If you are against the weakening of EU nature laws, now is the moment to speak up. Your voice matters. Use it now: birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/adv...
Reposted
Important - and easy to add your voice!
Just a couple of days left to speak up for nature
The European Commission wants to roll back vital environmental protections – and they’re asking for your opinion.
Let them understand nature needs more help than ever #HandsOffNature
Please send your message:
swanireland.ie/take-action/...
The European Commission wants to roll back vital environmental protections – and they’re asking for your opinion.
Let them understand nature needs more help than ever #HandsOffNature
Please send your message:
swanireland.ie/take-action/...
September 8, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Important - and easy to add your voice!
Reposted
🧪362,000 l of wastewater
🧪ammonia levels 30 times above the legal limit
🧪orthophosphate levels 2.5 times above limit
All on the night of the fish kill.
Whether or not there was responsibility for the fish kill, this is shockingly irresponsible.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
🧪ammonia levels 30 times above the legal limit
🧪orthophosphate levels 2.5 times above limit
All on the night of the fish kill.
Whether or not there was responsibility for the fish kill, this is shockingly irresponsible.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
EPA does not believe firm near river responsible for kill
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not believe anything in the wastewater from the North Cork Co-Op creamery could have caused the large fish on the River Blackwater in Co Cork three weeks...
www.rte.ie
September 3, 2025 at 9:31 AM
🧪362,000 l of wastewater
🧪ammonia levels 30 times above the legal limit
🧪orthophosphate levels 2.5 times above limit
All on the night of the fish kill.
Whether or not there was responsibility for the fish kill, this is shockingly irresponsible.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
🧪ammonia levels 30 times above the legal limit
🧪orthophosphate levels 2.5 times above limit
All on the night of the fish kill.
Whether or not there was responsibility for the fish kill, this is shockingly irresponsible.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Reposted
Call to Action!
EU laws are there to protect nature & by doing so, they protect us, our health and the economy
The European Commission wants to weaken these very laws & they're asking you what you think:
Tell them to keep their #HandsOffNature by filling in this quick form
iwt.ie/what-we-do/c...
EU laws are there to protect nature & by doing so, they protect us, our health and the economy
The European Commission wants to weaken these very laws & they're asking you what you think:
Tell them to keep their #HandsOffNature by filling in this quick form
iwt.ie/what-we-do/c...
September 1, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Call to Action!
EU laws are there to protect nature & by doing so, they protect us, our health and the economy
The European Commission wants to weaken these very laws & they're asking you what you think:
Tell them to keep their #HandsOffNature by filling in this quick form
iwt.ie/what-we-do/c...
EU laws are there to protect nature & by doing so, they protect us, our health and the economy
The European Commission wants to weaken these very laws & they're asking you what you think:
Tell them to keep their #HandsOffNature by filling in this quick form
iwt.ie/what-we-do/c...
Reposted
Don’t let the EU weaken nature protection ❌
Across Europe, our rivers are dying, wildlife is vanishing & forests are thinning. Now the European Commission wants to weaken the laws that protect them.
Tell them to keep their #HandsOffNature 👇
swanireland.ie/take-action/...
Across Europe, our rivers are dying, wildlife is vanishing & forests are thinning. Now the European Commission wants to weaken the laws that protect them.
Tell them to keep their #HandsOffNature 👇
swanireland.ie/take-action/...
Hands Off Nature - Sustainable Water Network
Don’t let the EU tear down nature protection. The European Commission wants to roll back vital environmental protections – and they’re asking for your opinion. We have only a short time to speak up be...
swanireland.ie
August 28, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Don’t let the EU weaken nature protection ❌
Across Europe, our rivers are dying, wildlife is vanishing & forests are thinning. Now the European Commission wants to weaken the laws that protect them.
Tell them to keep their #HandsOffNature 👇
swanireland.ie/take-action/...
Across Europe, our rivers are dying, wildlife is vanishing & forests are thinning. Now the European Commission wants to weaken the laws that protect them.
Tell them to keep their #HandsOffNature 👇
swanireland.ie/take-action/...
Reposted
This decision by the EU shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that has been paying attention to water quality.
What should come as a surprise is that to date the Government has no contingency plan in place for any loss or major revision of the derogation.
www.antaisce.org/news/an-tais...
What should come as a surprise is that to date the Government has no contingency plan in place for any loss or major revision of the derogation.
www.antaisce.org/news/an-tais...
An Taisce — The National Trust for Ireland welcomes EU Commission Decision
An Taisce welcomes the EU Commission requirement that more stringent environmental conditions be applied to farmers applying for a nitrates derogation in order to bring them into compliance with the E...
www.antaisce.org
July 7, 2025 at 4:36 PM
This decision by the EU shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that has been paying attention to water quality.
What should come as a surprise is that to date the Government has no contingency plan in place for any loss or major revision of the derogation.
www.antaisce.org/news/an-tais...
What should come as a surprise is that to date the Government has no contingency plan in place for any loss or major revision of the derogation.
www.antaisce.org/news/an-tais...
Reposted
Great that @epaireland.bsky.social report shows 10% reduction of nitrogen in rivers nationally in 2024,
but most rivers in South & Southeast still had excess nitrogen pollution. So many rivers & estuaries will remain polluted unless stronger measures implemented.
www.antaisce.org/news/water-q...
but most rivers in South & Southeast still had excess nitrogen pollution. So many rivers & estuaries will remain polluted unless stronger measures implemented.
www.antaisce.org/news/water-q...
Water quality in Ireland — rivers of the South and Southeast are still in serious trouble
An Taisce welcomes the recent report from the EPA which shows that there has been a 10% reduction of nitrogen in our rivers nationally in 2024. However, it’s important to note that levels still remain...
www.antaisce.org
July 3, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Great that @epaireland.bsky.social report shows 10% reduction of nitrogen in rivers nationally in 2024,
but most rivers in South & Southeast still had excess nitrogen pollution. So many rivers & estuaries will remain polluted unless stronger measures implemented.
www.antaisce.org/news/water-q...
but most rivers in South & Southeast still had excess nitrogen pollution. So many rivers & estuaries will remain polluted unless stronger measures implemented.
www.antaisce.org/news/water-q...
Reposted
SWAN member, @antaisce.bsky.social, had their Head of Advocacy @elainemcgoff.bsky.social on Primetime last night talking about the pollution crisis in Lady's Island Lake.
Watch the full piece here: 👇https://www.rte.ie/player/series/prime-time/SI0000000825?epguid=IH10008770-25-0050
Watch the full piece here: 👇https://www.rte.ie/player/series/prime-time/SI0000000825?epguid=IH10008770-25-0050
June 20, 2025 at 12:34 PM
SWAN member, @antaisce.bsky.social, had their Head of Advocacy @elainemcgoff.bsky.social on Primetime last night talking about the pollution crisis in Lady's Island Lake.
Watch the full piece here: 👇https://www.rte.ie/player/series/prime-time/SI0000000825?epguid=IH10008770-25-0050
Watch the full piece here: 👇https://www.rte.ie/player/series/prime-time/SI0000000825?epguid=IH10008770-25-0050
Reposted
Good to see TDs raising our concerns on the proposed lowering of env. protections on 10% of our waters. @ivanabacik.bsky.social
"Rather than trying to address the problems head on, it feels like government are throwing in the towel on our rivers"-Jennifer Whitmore
m.independent.ie/regionals/wi...
"Rather than trying to address the problems head on, it feels like government are throwing in the towel on our rivers"-Jennifer Whitmore
m.independent.ie/regionals/wi...
May 30, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Good to see TDs raising our concerns on the proposed lowering of env. protections on 10% of our waters. @ivanabacik.bsky.social
"Rather than trying to address the problems head on, it feels like government are throwing in the towel on our rivers"-Jennifer Whitmore
m.independent.ie/regionals/wi...
"Rather than trying to address the problems head on, it feels like government are throwing in the towel on our rivers"-Jennifer Whitmore
m.independent.ie/regionals/wi...
Since I've no intention of travelling to the US anytime soon, I can share this
May 28, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Since I've no intention of travelling to the US anytime soon, I can share this
Reposted
The Irish Whale & Dolphin Group have pointed out that they first raised the alarm about unregulated sprat fishing in 2010 but the government has yet to act... now the whales are gone because there nothing for them to eat. Disgraceful!
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Are Whales disappearing from the West Cork Coastline?
Colin Barnes, Skipper and Ken O'Sullivan, underwater cameraman and documentary-maker
www.rte.ie
May 27, 2025 at 2:11 PM
The Irish Whale & Dolphin Group have pointed out that they first raised the alarm about unregulated sprat fishing in 2010 but the government has yet to act... now the whales are gone because there nothing for them to eat. Disgraceful!
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Reposted
"Hundreds of rivers will be condemned to decline under Government plans to lower environmental standards for them"
SWAN has 'grave concerns' that "466 stretches of rivers, lakes & estuaries" to be "classified as 'heavily modified water bodies'
www.independent.ie/irish-news/p...
SWAN has 'grave concerns' that "466 stretches of rivers, lakes & estuaries" to be "classified as 'heavily modified water bodies'
www.independent.ie/irish-news/p...
Plan to ‘write off’ hundreds of Irish rivers as no-go areas for nature angers green groups
Hundreds of rivers will be condemned to decline under Government plans to lower environmental standards for them, it is feared.
www.independent.ie
May 26, 2025 at 9:18 AM
"Hundreds of rivers will be condemned to decline under Government plans to lower environmental standards for them"
SWAN has 'grave concerns' that "466 stretches of rivers, lakes & estuaries" to be "classified as 'heavily modified water bodies'
www.independent.ie/irish-news/p...
SWAN has 'grave concerns' that "466 stretches of rivers, lakes & estuaries" to be "classified as 'heavily modified water bodies'
www.independent.ie/irish-news/p...