1. Water Framework Directive Establishment of River Basin District Advisory Councils

2. Regulatory Background • Article 14 of WFD states “Member States shall encourage the active involvement of all interested parties in the implementation of this Directive” • EU Guidelines on Public Participation • Water Policy Regulations 2003 (SI 722 of 2003)

3. Permanent • Permanent Infrastructure for WFD • Lifetime of membership tied to lifetime of County Council membership

4. Terms of Reference • “to consider matters relating to the preparation of river basin management plans and other matters relevant to the protection and use of the aquatic environment and water resources in the district and to advise and make recommendations on these matters to the relevant public authorities”

5. Forum • Essentially a forum for participation of interested parties and stakeholders • EU Guidelines on Public Participation envisage that this type of involvement will encourage “buy in” and “ownership”, and will facilitate the early identification of conflicts and solutions

6. Membership - numbers • Eastern RBD - 36 • Western RBD - 21 • South Eastern RBD - 39 • South Western RBD - 18 • North Western RBD - 18 • Neagh Bann RBD - 12 • Shannon RBD - 54

7. Membership – composition • One third elected council officials (one appointed by each council in the RBD) • One third sectoral representatives from the Strategic Policy Committees of Local Councils (one appointed by each council in the RBD) • One third coopted members who have knowledge, qualifications or experience of relevance (nominations following ads in the press)

8. Meetings • Twice a year