Our role

We are the national statutory body representative of all stakeholders with an interest in the quality of Ireland’s water bodies. We aim to strengthen stakeholder input into decision making regarding water as a fundamental national asset.

A little about us

Chair

Welcome to the An Fóram Uisce – the Water Forum website.

The National Water Forum, as the only statutory body established to advise the Minister on water policy and management in Ireland, provides stakeholder input into policy development. With 26 members representing sectors such as agriculture, business, industry, education, community and voluntary, environmental NGOs, fishing, recreation, trade unions and Irish Water Consumers a wide variety of perspectives are facilitated to contribute to policy.

Policy positions are grounded in the most recent scientific data, input from agency experts, academic knowledge and commissioned research and consensus is achieved through dialogue and informed debate. The diverse primary views find common ground on policies, technical, governance and community solutions to provide a strong independent voice on water quality, water conservation and future proofing.

We communicate our positions through policy submissions, webinars, conferences, workshops and newsletters. We publish research reports and education and awareness resources and all are available on this website.

Our fundamental aim is to strengthen democratic input into decision making regarding water as a fundamental asset and to protect this precious gift for future generations to enjoy.

Dr Matt Crowe

Members

The Water Forum (An Fóram Uisce) is the only statutory body representative of stakeholders with an interest in the quality of Ireland’s water bodies. It consists of 26 members representing 15 different sectors and organisations with direct connections to issues relating to water quality and also public water consumers. Approximately 50 different organisations were involved in the nomination of the members and all of the members are appointed by the Minister.

Stakeholders	Members
Agriculture	EAMON CARROLL - Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) - Eamon is a dairy and beef farmer from Tipperary. He is Deputy President of ICMSA and Chairperson of ICMSA’s Farm & Rural Affairs Committee. Eamon is also Chairperson of the National Dairy Council. ; DR MARIA SNELL - MACRA - Maria has a PhD in Environmental Science and is a Senior Research and Policy Executive at MACRA. Before that Marie was a Senior Scientific Officer (Ecology and Biodiversity) in the Agri-food and Bioscience Institute Northern Ireland and programme lead for Freshwater Ecology within the Catchment Science Unit. ; DOMINIC CRONIN - Irish Co-operative Society (ICOS) - Dominic is a member of ICOS Dairy Committee, a dairy farmer, a Board member of Boherbue Co-Op and former chair of the National Dairy Council. Dominic represents ICMSA on the Board of IRD Duhallow and he joined the Board of Ornua in 2022. ; TADHG BUCKLEY - Irish Farmers Association (IFA) - Tadhg is currently Director of Policy/Chief Economist with the IFA. Prior to that, Tadhg worked as Head of Agriculture with AIB Bank. He holds a BSc in Ag. Science from UCD and an MBA from UL. As a Nuffield Scholar - his study examined the role of dairy futures markets & other price risk management mechanisms in the EU Dairy Industry. A member of the Agricultural Science Association and a Qualified Financial Advisor.
Angling	MARTIN Mc ENROE - The Angling Council of Ireland - Martin has been a serving member of many boards including Inland Fisheries Ireland, Salmon Regional Fisheries Board, National Salmon Commission, National Eel Group and the Angling Council of Ireland. Martin currently represents the Forum on the NPWS IAS Strategy Development Committee.
Business	NEIL WALKER - Irish Business & Employers Confederation (IBEC) -Until Neil retired in December 2023, he headed up the Infrastructure Policy team in Ibec, Ireland's largest business representative organisation. Neil holds an engineering degree from Cambridge University an MBA from The London Business School, and a PhD in Environmental Economics from UCD.
Chairperson	DR MATTHEW CROWE - Independent Chair - Matt worked with the EPA since 1995 and has held Directorships with responsibility for Communications & Corporate Services & the Office of Evidence & Assessment. Prior to that, he worked in Canada conducting research in applied environmental sciences. Matt holds a BSc. and PhD from UCD.
Community and Voluntary	MICHAEL KENNY - Irish Rural Link - Michael holds a BSc. Ag. Science, a Rural Development Masters, a HDip. in Higher Education, and a Level-10 PG Diploma in Educational Management. He recently retired from a Maynooth University Dept. of Adult and Community Education teaching academic post. ; MARIA O’GORMAN - Community and Voluntary Pillar - Maria has a background in finance and is a Board Member and Treasurer of Irish Rural Link 2013– and is Ireland's rep. at the European Rural Community Alliance. Currently Vice-Chair on the Board of NALA, and is a Member of Kerry Education & Training Board 2004 – now.
Education	DR SUZANNE LINNANE - Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) - Suzanne heads up the ‘Water, Communities and Development’ theme in the Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies at DkIT. She has been engaging in multi- and trans-disciplinary, collaborative water related research in Ireland, Europe and Africa since 2005. Prior to that Suzanne worked with Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Environment	FINTAN KELLY - The Environmental Pillar (IEN) - Fintan is an environmental scientist with over eleven years’ experience working on environmental policy and advocacy within the Irish environmental NGO sector. He has worked with Sustainable Water Network, An Taisce, Birdwatch Ireland, and is currently the Agriculture and Land Use Policy & Advocacy Officer with the Irish Environmental Network. ; KARIN DUBSKY - Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) - Karin is an Environmental Scientist, Staff in Civil & Environmental Engineering TCD, Co Founder & Director of Coastwatch and Director of SWAN. She is a newly appointed member of the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland. ; SINEAD O’BRIEN - Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) -Sinéad has been leading the SWAN's work for over 16 years. She has a degree in Zoology from UCC and is a passionate advocate for the water environment. Sinéad represents SWAN on a number of public bodies and leads SWAN’s policy work related to RBMP and the EU WFD. Sinéad has been a member of the Water Forum since 2017. ; DR ELAINE Mc GOFF - The Environmental Pillar (IEN) - Elaine holds a PhD in Freshwater Ecology from TCD and is the Natural Environment Officer with An Taisce, working on environmental planning, policy, and advocacy covering a broad range of topics from forestry and aquaculture to agriculture and water quality. ; CHARLES STANLEY SMITH - Represents the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) Charles is a member of the National Advisory Group for Public Participation Networks (PPNs) and Tipperary PPN Secretariat. Charles was Chair of An Taisce 2006- 2011.
Forestry	MARIE DOYLE - Forestry Sectoral Organisations -Marie Doyle is a Lecturer in Forestry in UCD. Her areas of teaching include Sustainable Forest Management, Forest Certification, Professional Communication in Forestry, and the delivery of the capstone Forest Management Plan module for final years.
General Consumers	CONNIE ROCHFORD - Domestic Water Consumer - Connie has a BA in Sociology, MA in Political Science and a PhD in Education Policy and has been a member of the Forum since 2016. She is a founding member and treasurer of Wexford Volunteer Centre. ; KEITH HYLAND - Domestic Water Consumer -Keith is a freelance Lighting Director. Previously, he worked with RTÉ across the entire range of televised output. Keith joined the Public Water Forum as an Irish Water customer to pursue the principles of consumer rights. He is chair of the Water Services Standing Committee.
Recreation	CIARAN MAGUIRE - Water Recreational Sector - Ciaran is Director of Operations with Canoeing Ireland and has been involved in Water sports, as an athlete, business owner and NGB Director for almost 30 years. has
Rivers Trusts	DR CONSTANZE O’TOOLE - Rivers Trusts in Ireland - Constanze has a BSc. in Freshwater Ecology, a PhD in Science and a PG Diploma in Environment Engineering and is Development manager for the Rivers Trusts in Ireland.
Rural Water	BARRY DEANE - CEO National Federation of Group Water Schemes- Barry has a BSc. in Ag Science & Masters in Rural Development from UCD. He has worked with NFGWS since 2003 becoming CEO in 2017. ; JEAN ROSNEY - National Federation of Group Water Schemes -Jean is the Senior Development Co-ordinator with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS). Jean has worked in rural water for over 18 years and with interests in protecting & improving water resources to protect public health & the environment through implementation of targeted mitigation actions to tackle pollution risks, encouraging water conservation and promoting climate action & biodiversity initiatives.
Social Housing	DAVID WRIGHT - Irish Council for Social Housing - David has been a member of the Water Forum since the Public Water Forum. Initially representing the C&V Pillar and since 2020, The Irish Council for Social Housing.
Tourism	STEVE CONLON - Tourism Sectoral Organisations -Steve is a self-employed consultant providing management services for the Irish Boat Rental Association. He is a Council Member of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation ITIC, Member of the Failte Ireland Industry Advisory Group, Member of the Irelands Hidden Heartlands Stakeholder Group, Member of the Dept Housing Advisory Panel for the implementation of Marine Spatial Planning, and Member of the Stakeholder Advisory Group for the implementation of Marine Protected Areas.
Trade Unions	KARAN O’LOUGHLIN - Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) -Karan is a full time official with the trade union SIPTU in Ireland since 2001. She holds a BBS in Business and Trade Union Studies from UCD and a Masters in HRM from the University of Limerick
Youth	EIMEAR MANNING - Youth/Interest of 3rd Level Students - Eimear holds an M.S. in Environmental Sustainability (Marine Specification) and Joint B.A. Geographical Science & English. Eimear is a member of the Legal Recommendation Drafting Group, Council of Europe since 2023 which involves ongoing policy writing and reviewing the Council of Europe draft recommendation on Young People & Climate Action.

Reps

Donal Purcell represents An Fóram Uisce – the Water Forum on the Water Advisory Body

Staff

Dónal Purcell

Senior Executive Officer

Donal@nationalwaterforum.ie

Triona McGrath

Research & Policy Lead

Triona@nationalwaterforum.ie

Aisling Corkery

Research & Policy Executive

Aisling@nationalwaterforum.ie

Gretta McCarron

Communications & Education Lead

Gretta@nationalwaterforum.ie

Martina Ryan

Clerical Officer

Martina@nationalwaterforum.ie

The Role of the Forum

The Functions of the Water Forum as set out in the Water Services Act 2017 Include:

To advise the Minister in relation to Government water policy haveing regard to amongst other things, the following:
1. water conservation
2. rural water services
3. the interests of the customers of Irish Water
To make recommendations to Irish Water
1. in relation to the performance by Irish Water in its functions, and
2. when requested in writing in that behalf by Irish Water, on any policy document prepared by Irish Water
To advise and provide observation to the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU)#
1. in relation to the performance by Irish Water of its functions
2. when requested in writing on any consultation document prepared in respect of water services
To advise the Water Policy Advisory Committee (WPAC)
1. in relation to any River Basin Management Plan and implementation of the plan
2. on matters pertaining to the objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive
3. on matters concerning the management of the inland aquatic environment and water resources
To examine such other water-related matters including carrying out research concerning those matters, as the Minister requests the Forum to examine and to advise the Minister accordingly.

In addition to the above, the Water Forum endeavours to enhance public understanding of the value of water and the water environment. It advocates on the need for and benefits of meaningful public engagement and education on water resource management.

Principles of the Forum

The following are the principles by which the members of the Forum have agreed to conduct all aspects of its business:

Transparency and Openness – all documents will be made available to the Members and Forum minutes will be published on adoption
Fairness – the decisions/outputs of the Forum should be representative of the views of the group as a whole
Equality and Respect – all Members will be afforded equal opportunity to voice their opinion and contribute to the work of the Forum
Efficiency – it is recognised that time and resources will be limited. Therefore the work and meetings of the Forum will be managed in as efficient a manner as possible
Collegiality and Tolerance – the Members of the Forum will work together in the spirit of collegiality and tolerance
Common Goal – the Members of the Forum will work together towards a common goal of an improved water environment for all

Committees of the Water Forum

Water Services Standing Committee

An Fóram Uisce, at its meeting held on the 10^th April 2018, made a decision to establish a Water Services Standing Committee and in so doing, re-iterated its commitment to facilitating stakeholder engagement on all water services issues (including drinking water and waste water) at a national, strategic policy level with the common goal of improving the supply and quality of drinking water and protecting and restoring our waters.

The Standing Committee commenced its work in July 2018 and meets on a bi-monthly basis and on additional occasions as determined by the work programme.

The role of the Committee includes responsibility to report to the Water Forum at its plenary meetings in relation to the following Strategic Objectives:

Advise the Minister on the formulation of national policy relating to water and wastewater services
Engage with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Housing (DHLGH) on rural water issues
Engage with Irish Water, Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, EPA and DHLGH on the deliver of water and wastewater services

The Committee submits its reports for consideration at the plenary meetings of the Forum. It is chaired by Barry Deane and comprises of members including Dr Connie Rochford, David Wright, Denis Drennan, Jean Rosney, Keith Hyland, Neil Walker, Sinead O’Brien, Dr Suzanne Linnane and Dr Tim Butter.

Catchment Management Standing Committee

An Fóram Uisce, at its meeting held on the 10^th April 2018, made a decision to establish a Catchment Management Standing Committee and in so doing, re-iterates its commitment to facilitating stakeholder engagement on all catchment management issues at a national, strategic policy level with the common goal of restoring our waters and also improving the supply and quality of drinking water.

The role of the Committee includes responsibility to report to the Water Forum at its plenary meetings in relation to the following Strategic Objectives:

Advise the Minister on the formulation of national policy relating to water
Review and advise on policy implementation in relation to the River Basin Management Plan and the Water Framework Directive
Identify and advocate for optimum level of engagement with the implementation structures of the River Basin Management Plan
Advocate for whole of Government approaches to water and environmental management
Complement and critique the work of implementing bodies and agencies to improve water quality outcomes

The Standing Committee will consider and make recommendations to An Fóram in relation to the goals and actions identified in the Strategic Plan in relation to these objectives, as requested by An Fóram and/or as considered appropriate by the Standing Committee. The Standing Committee is chaired by Dr Matt Crowe and comprises of members including Brendan Fitzsimons, Charles Stanley Smith, Connie Rochford, Denis Drennan, Dominic Cronin, Dr Elaine McGoff, Gerald Quain, Jean Rosney, Martin McEnroe, Sinead O’Brien, Siobhan Ward, and Dr Suzanne Linnane.

The Standing Committee commenced its work in March 2018 and meets on a bi-monthly basis and on additional occasions as determined by the work programme.

Working groups

An Fóram establishes working groups as required by the work programme.

Our Work

Plenary Meetings

The Water Forum holds a plenary meeting every 6 weeks approximately.

Meeting Minutes of plenary meetings are available in publications

Policy Submissions, Policy Briefs & Observations

In accordance with the requirements of the Water Services Act 2017, the Forum has an advisory role in relation to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Irish Water, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities and also the Water Policy Advisory Body. Issues regarding rural water services is also a function of the Forum and are addressed through Policy Submissions, Policy Briefs and Observations.

All submissions are listed in our publications

Research Reports

Sometimes it is necessary to seek outside expertise in order to make an informed submission. To this end An Fóram commissions research reports from experts on the required topics.

We also have an agreed Research Strategy to inform our policy recommendations on particular water-related topics.

All research reports are available in publications