Implementation of the Water Framework Directive - Policy Coherence, Managing Trade-Offs, Financing and Capacity

The objective of this research is to support the Forum to develop policy advice on the implementation of the 3rd cycle RBMP and development of the 4th plan. Learnings from the research are expected to inform Forum members about the existing obstacles in implementing the WFD in Ireland and to make recommendations about what can be strengthened going into the 4th cycle. In 2021, the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) assessed water governance in Ireland using the OECD Water Governance Indicator Framework to support the development of the third-cycle RBMP for Ireland 2022–2027. The primary objective of the Water Governance Indicator Framework (OECD, 2018) is to stimulate a transparent, neutral, open, inclusive and forward-looking dialogue across stakeholders on what does and does not work, what should be improved and who can do what. The IPA evaluated how Ireland was doing in relation to the 12 OCED principles of water governance, categorised each principle as “strong progress”, “good progress” or “limited progress”. In preparation for the development of the 4th cycle RBMP, the Water Forum is commissioning research to re-evaluate water governance around four OCED principles: 1. Policy coherence 2. Managing trade offs 3. Financing 4. Capacity Research Questions The Research should include an evaluation of how Ireland is doing in relation to the 4 OECD Principles below, identifying any relevant obstacles to implementation of the WFD in Ireland. Drawing on international case studies, the research should then present policy recommendations on how they could be strengthened going into the 4th cycle. 1. Policy Coherence • Review and evaluate policy coherence and cross-sectoral coordination which influence the implementation of the WFD, especially between policies for water and the environment, health, energy, agriculture, industry, spatial planning and land use. • Identify and evaluate the co-ordination mechanisms to facilitate coherent policies across ministries, public agencies and levels of government, including cross sectoral plans. • Identify and evaluate the barriers to policy coherence from practices, policies and regulations within and beyond the water sector.  Develop policy recommendations on how to strengthen policy coherence and cross sectoral coordination to support the implementation of the WFD in Ireland. 2. Managing Trade-offs • Review and evaluate how trade-offs are managed across water users, rural and urban areas and generations. • Review and evaluate how trade-offs are identified and communicated, and if efforts are made to minimise potential negative impacts on water.  Develop policy recommendations on how to improve the management of trade-offs to support the implementation of the WFD in Ireland. 3. Financing the WFD • Provide an overview on how the implementation of the WFD is financed in Ireland and evaluate if financial resources are allocated / used in an efficient, transparent and timely manner. • Identify financial / resourcing challenges which are impeding the implementation of the WFD in Ireland.  Drawing from international best practice or funding models to finance the WFD, develop policy recommendations on how to improve the financing of the WFD for strengthened implementation of the 4th RBMP. 4. Capacity • Provide an overview of the level of capacity both required and available to meet the complexity of meeting WFD objectives. • Identify capacity gaps which are impeding the implementation of the WFD in Ireland (e.g. policy, planning, project management, funding, scientists, advisory, monitoring, data, administration).  Develop recommendations on how to improve capacity to strengthen the implementation of the WFD in Ireland.