SEMINAR ON THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS 30TH JUNE 2004

Appendix A (Report of Working Group on Public Participation)

The Working Group on Public Participation provided comments and recommendations on the approach which might best be adopted to encourage public participation in implementation of the WFD. These comments and recommendations, which have been adopted by the NCG and are being incorporated in appropriate measures including the Water Policy Regulations (SI 722 of 2003), are set out in the following paragraphs.

Efforts to promote public participation in implementation of the WFD should be guided by the objectives of:

- providing information to all interested parties
- improving decision-making by gaining the benefit of the knowledge, experience and initiatives of stakeholders
- promoting constructive dialogue between interested parties and bringing greater transparency, openness and creativity to decision-making
- assisting interested parties to influence decisions
- increasing public awareness of water management issues
- increasing public involvement and understanding of, and support for, decision-making processes thereby improving effective implementation.

Public participation can operate at the level of individual persons and on a broader sectoral basis e.g. comments, objections or actions by a concerned individual person or by sectoral representatives of industry, agriculture, environmental NGOs (eNGOs) etc.
A programme of actions to promote public participation should include a very broad range of measures to provide for public information and consultation and to encourage and facilitate the direct involvement of a broad range of interested parties.

Measures should aim for:

- mechanisms which allow for participation by all interested persons i.e. individuals and organisations
- appropriate involvement by members of local authorities othe development of linkages with existing consultation / participative structures e.g. SPCs, Comhar, community and voluntary fora
- sustainability in the medium-term and long-term i.e. not only for the duration of the RBD Projects
- consistency of approaches across RBDs
- well-focussed activities which provide a realistic return for the resources deployed
- the gathering of information and views from stakeholders
- the provision of information in a timely fashion as far as is practicable to allow for public input to the decision-making process
- the promotion among stakeholders of awareness, understanding, acceptance, trust and support for river basin management measures
- achievement of consensus as to approaches, policies, objectives, priorities and measures for water management
- clarity as to the purpose and function of the public participation process.

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