Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To be clear, our Department will be chairing and leading this. It is a commitment the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, gave when he launched the river basin plan in April of this year because it is an important area of work, for all the reasons the Deputy has outlined. I again commend all the stakeholders for coming together around the table. It is very clear to me there is a good working relationship. ESB is a key player on this and has been very proactive in regard to the conservation of fish species over the years and has tried many different mitigation measures. It is certainly interested in and committed to bringing forward new solutions. Everyone around that table is committed. I believe the group covers all the stakeholders who should be there but if we find any are missing, we will take the chance to engage them. This is a proactive committee and stakeholder group that is trying to find a solution. It is not to block out anybody or to turn up our noses at any suggestion. It is to help solve the problem, which is what we are committed to doing.

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