The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) is inviting members of the public, community groups and stakeholders in water quality to express their interest in joining the Mal Bay Catchment Community Forum. This is part of an innovative national pilot programme, led by LAWPRO, to enhance public participation in water governance.
Following a well-attended information evening in the Mal Bay Catchment on 17th September, LAWPRO is now seeking expressions of interest from individuals who wish to join the Catchment Community Forum.
Speaking about the call for expressions of interest, LAWPRO Senior Community Water Officer in the South West, Ruairí Ó Conchúir said: “We are asking members of the public to get involved in this community-led movement to protect and restore the Mal Bay Catchment. This is an excellent opportunity to help shape the future of the region, collaborate with like-minded individuals and organisations, access support and services from LAWPRO, and contribute to national, regional and local management.”
Contact Ruairí Ó Conchúir by email by 29th October 2025 to register your interest.
As one of five pilot areas nationally, the Mal Bay region, which covers a large part of North and West Clare, has been selected on account of its regional significance in the South West, the nature of the water quality pressures, and the fact that local community groups are active on the ground.
The Mal Bay Catchment Community Forum will serve as a consultative platform on water quality. It will act as a bridge between communities and decision-makers, provide space for local discussion of water data, support community-led action, and give residents an opportunity to input into the development and evolution of Catchment Management Work Plans.
LAWPRO previously held community consultations and information sessions in the catchment to bring together local voices from the area. That process highlighted both the challenges facing the Mal Bay Catchment and the strong public desire to collaborate on solutions, resulting in the formation of a Catchment Community Forum.
Expressions of interest are welcome from community organisations, environmental groups, famers and landowners, sports and recreation clubs, local businesses and any other individuals interested in water quality.
This initiative is part of a wider national pilot under Ireland’s Water Action Plan (River Basin Management Plan 2024–2027). The plan, which serves as Ireland’s roadmap for restoring and protecting water quality, calls for the creation of local fora to give communities a stronger role in decisions about water quality.
About Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) https://lawaters.ie/
Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) works on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in our rivers, lakes, estuaries, ground and coastal water through catchment science and local community engagement.
LAWPRO was established to fulfil requirements under the European Union Water Framework Directive and is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. LAWPRO coordinates the efforts of local authorities and other public bodies in the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan.
Under the Water Action Plan for Ireland LAWPRO was tasked with designing a national model for Catchment Community Fora to improve water quality through community engagement.
In 2024 an initial scoping exercise was carried out with in-person regional workshops and an online survey of participants in the five pilot catchments. The feedback from people who attended these workshops is being used to inform how the new pilot fora will operate. Upon completion of the scoping exercise a report was prepared which can be read here.
The locations of the five pilot Catchment Community Fora across Ireland are:
Slaney River Catchment (Co. Wexford)
Boyne River Catchment (Co. Meath, Louth, Kildare)
Mal Bay Catchment (Co. Clare)
Galway Bay South East Catchment (Co. Galway)
Newry, Fane, Glyde, Dee (Oriel) Catchment (Co. Louth, Monaghan, Meath)