Mr. Fintan Gorman:

Water quality is inextricably linked with the viability of our angling product. Fish are an aquatic species and water quality is the main determinant of the viability of our fisheries. Never has the demand on quality water been so great as it is now. Changing demographics are imposing strains on it, as are increasing industrialisation, urbanisation, intensive agriculture and climate change. All of these are imposing significant strains on water quality and quantity. Some of the biggest challenges to fish populations come from poorly regulated, managed and maintained municipal water systems.

Inland Fisheries Ireland recognises that rural environment protection schemes and other environmental programmes undertaken in agriculture have had a significant benefit for water quality and have removed some of the strain.

We still realise that increasing agricultural production will prove problematic if more controls are not put in place.

We recognise and welcome the establishment of Irish Water from the perspective that it provides one national body that will be responsible for water quality and, according to the legislation, provide for planned capital investment in the municipal water system, mostly in respect of water going out. With regard to fisheries and water quality, having 42 towns in which untreated sewage is still discharged into waterways is unsustainable. Our hope is a single national agency, rather than a plethora of agencies, may be able to address that detrimental situation for angling.