Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)

Apologies have been received from Deputy Heneghan. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan is substituting for Deputy Malcolm Byrne, Deputy O'Sullivan is substituting for Deputy Ó Cearúil and Deputy Eoghan Kenny is substituting for Deputy Ahern. The first item on the agenda is engagement with witnesses on the fish kill in the Blackwater river in County Cork. The purpose of this meeting is to have a focused discussion on the recent fish kill incident at the request of members of this committee and Members of the Oireachtas. Our goal is to understand the causes, assess the environmental impact and identify the immediate and long-term actions required to prevent future occurrences. We will hear from key stakeholders including representatives from environmental agencies, local authorities, scientific experts and local angling groups to build a comprehensive picture of what happened and what needs to be done.

I welcome to our meeting the following witnesses: from Inland Fisheries Ireland, Mr. Barry Fox, deputy CEO, Dr. Fiona Kelly, head of research and development, and Mr. Sean Long, river basin director; and from the EPA, Dr. Tom Ryan, director of the office of environmental enforcement, Ms Pamela McDonnell, industrial licence enforcement programme, Mr. Noel Byrne, drinking water and wastewater enforcement programme, and Dr. Jenny Deakin, water programme. From the Marine Institute, I welcome Dr. Rick Officer, CEO, Dr. Glenn Nolan, director of marine environment and food safety services, and Dr. Jamie Downes, section manager of the fish health unit. Online, joining from Cork County Council, we have Mr. Ger Barry, director of services, and Mr. Alan Costello, senior executive scientist. Also welcome are representatives of the angling community Mr. Conor Arnold, Killavullen Angling Club, and Mr. John Ruby, Mallow Trout Anglers Club. I remind all those in attendance, including myself, that phones should be switched off or at least put on silent, please.

Before I invite witnesses to deliver opening statements, I advise them of the following in relation to parliamentary privilege. Witnesses and members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of that person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

On the format of the meeting, I will invite witnesses in turn to make an opening statement for a maximum of five minutes. Once the opening statements have been delivered, I will call on members of the committee in the order in which they indicate to me to put their questions. Members and their substitutes will be called. Non-members in attendance will also be called in the order in which they indicate at the end of the first round. We operate a rota system that provides each member with an initial six minutes to engage with our witnesses. The six minutes are for both questions and answers. Therefore, it is essential for members to put their questions succinctly and for witnesses to be succinct in their responses. When all members who have indicated have had their initial engagement, time permitting, a second round will commence. In that round, each member will have up to three minutes for questions and answers. The duration of the meeting is limited and therefore the times must be strictly adhered to. I ask everybody to be focused in their contributions.

I will now call on each organisation to deliver their opening statement as follows: Mr. Barry Fox, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Dr. Tom Ryan, EPA, Dr. Rick Officer, Marine Institute, Mr. Ger Barry, Cork County Council, and Mr. Conor Arnold and Mr. John Ruby, anglers representatives.