Mr. Jim Casey:

Deputy Kenny mentioned barriers and devastation to fish stocks. Under the national barrier programme, the OPW is building a database of fish barriers, in collaboration with Inland Fisheries Ireland, to identify such barriers that create pressures. We are looking to develop a plan to mitigate these impacts. As part of our ongoing work with IFI, we have a service level agreement. This will look at surveys to be undertaken to examine potential barriers, using desk and field-based methods to assess structures considered obstacles to fish passage. Small barrier mitigation measures will be planned following these studies. This forms part of the recent new service level agreement, which I referred to in my opening statement. It was signed at the end of last year and it will cover the period from 2023 to 2027.

In 2017 and 2018, the OPW and IFI surveyed the Inny catchment for potential barriers to fish movement. Recommendations were made. This was used as a pilot scheme to prepare our design guidance for fish passage on small barriers. Mr. Ó Dónaill has a copy of the guidance we developed. It is the first guidance of its kind ever published in Ireland. It is available for all stakeholders who have an interest in the area. The guidance and the implementation of its recommendations and methodologies will be very important in coming up with solutions to the problems that Deputy Kenny has outlined.