The European Commission is calling on Ireland and Spain to comply with the requirements of the Floods Directive.

The Directive aims to reduce and manage the risks that floods pose to human health, the environment and economic activity. Under EU law, Member States had to complete and publish flood risk management plans, and notify them to the Commission by 22 March 2016.

In April 2017, the Commission opened the infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to the Irish authorities due to their failure to complete, publish and communicate flood risk management plans for seven river basin districts. As Ireland has still not notified these plans, the Commission is sending a reasoned opinion. Ireland has two months to reply.

The Commission has also decided to send a letter of formal notice to Spain as the Spanish authorities have failed to inform the Commission of the flood risk management plans for the river basin districts of Catalonia and the Canary Islands. Spain also has two months to reply.