Mr. Francis O'Donnell:

For the last two years we have been working in close co-operation with the ESB on this issue. Barrier mitigation is a major priority for us. Parteen weir near Ardnacrusha is one of the big challenges for Atlantic salmon and other species. Our research department is engaging very closely with the ESB on that matter. Also, to be fair to the ESB, the conversation has moved on a lot in the last 18 months, particularly around research on Atlantic salmon and the European eel. As we said earlier, they are critically endangered. We have an agreement with the ESB that both IFI and the ESB will work jointly and contribute jointly financially to future research on these species. To be fair to the ESB, there has been a shift in focus and on strategy around conservation.

As the Cathaoirleach says, there is a commercial aspect to it.

We have impressed upon the ESB that it is doing very well financially and that some of that money needs to be diverted back into resolving these issues. To be fair, it is working on this and has set up a working group at a very high level, with myself and the chief operating officer.