Consultation on the Timetable and Work Programme for development of the Fourth Cycle River Basin Management Plan 2028 – 2033
This consultation summary outlines feedback received by DAERA on the proposed timetable and work programme for developing Northern Ireland’s fourth cycle River Basin Management Plan for 2028–2033 under the Water Framework Directive.
On 3 July 2025, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) launched a six-month public consultation seeking views on the Timetable and Work Programme for development of the fourth cycle River Basin Management Plan (RBMP), covering the period 2028 – 2033.
River Basin Management Planning is the primary mechanism for implementing the requirements of the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017. The plans are subject to review and update every six years. Northern Ireland is currently implementing the third cycle RBMP and developing the fourth cycle RBMP.