Water Law

Course details

Water Law is a primary means by which water policy objectives can be achieved. It is important for those involved with any aspect of the water sector to be aware of and understand the prevailing legislation. It is equally important to also understand how and why it developed and whether it is having the desired impact. The legislation relating to water is diverse, complex and sometimes uncoordinated. This unit will explain not only the law in theory but also the law in practice.

Qualifications gained

• Portobello Institute Certificate in Water Law

Entry requirement

• Entry to this course is by direct application to the college. There are no previous academic requirements.

Course content modules

• Basic principles of law and relationship to policy and policy objectives.
• Irish statures and cases.
• Sources of law.
• International treaties.
• EU Directives; divisions of law civil/criminal, public/private etc.
• Irish legal system, courts, common law.
• Environmental regulatory agencies and public inquiries; political philosophy and public perceptions (needs and demands)
• Water Law: water resource management- conservation, control, allocation.
• Water resource projection- quality objectives, pollution control.
• Water supply and waste water disposal- rights and obligations
• Water environment protection- habitats (wetlands), flooding, drainage.
• Water rights and rights to water.