Malcolm Noonan (Green Party)

At the outset, I want to acknowledge the deep trauma and upset this has caused the local community, particularly the angling community, who are our custodians of the rivers up and down the country. Surely, these rivers are worth more to us in pristine condition as healthy rivers for tourism, leisure and nature, than they are as open sewers or for the short-term gains of a few.

I have four questions. Irrespective of what caused this fish kill, the compliance record of North Cork Creameries is truly appalling, stretching back years. In spite of repeated prosecutions and enforcement notifications from the EPA, at what point does the EPA revoke a discharge licence and was that ever considered in the case of North Cork Creameries?