Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Funchion, Martin Kenny and Ferris for raising this issue. A response drafted by my Department is being circulated but it does not deal with the issue as raised so I will not read it into the record, although it is available for Deputies to read. The problem is that there is a multifaceted approach to issues such as this and responsibility does not lie with any one agency, which is hugely frustrating. As Deputy Kenny knows, there is a similar problem in regard to the Asian clam in Lanesborough-Ballyleague. The local authority and Inland Fisheries Ireland should probably consider the matter. I do not know the details of the issue as I have only the documentation in front of me.

4 o’clock

I am responding on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, who has responsibility for inland fisheries. He is out of the country representing me at the moment.

As the Deputies are aware, the provisions of the water pollution Acts come under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy. I will commit to taking the points raised by the Deputies back to the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, early next week. I will discuss this issue with him and we can try to see if we can progress it.

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