26/01/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday, 26 January, the European Commission decided to bring an action against Ireland before the Court of Justice of the European Union on the grounds that the country is not implementing the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) correctly, even though it has been applicable since 2003. One requirement set by the directive is that all inland and coastal waters must achieve at least good status by 2027 through national river basin management plans. Despite some progress and the adoption of legislation in June 2022, Irish authorities still have not, according to the European Commission, fully addressed the grievances—more than 20 years after the directive came into force. Irish law has yet to provide for appropriate controls in several areas: water abstraction, impoundment, and activities resulting in hydromorphological changes (dams, weirs, and other instances of interference with natural water flow). (MB)