IRELAND has been warned by the European Commission that it faces possible legal action in the European Court of Justice over its failure to implement two environmental directives.
A 1976 directive requires member-states to control the level of pollutants in water and the Commission cites Ireland's failure to keep down phosphorous levels.
Over the past two decades, the Commission says, an increase in phosphorous discharges, particularly from agricultural sources has led to a decline in water quality in a number of important lakes, notably Derg and Conn. This decline has affected natural resources and in the case of Lough Conn has affected a wild brown trout fishery "of European importance".
Ireland is also cited for its failure to put into law a 1992 directive for protected habitats and the most endangered plants and animals. That deadline was June 1994 and the Commission notes that adoption has already been postponed several times. Failure to act will lead to action in the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
