Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the major difficulties being faced by local fishermen on the River Suir following recent drainage installations by South Tipperary County Council and the resulting loss to the fisheries of significant stretches of the River Suir; if he will propose and support a remedy for this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3608/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that South Tipperary County Council has constructed a waste water treatment plant at Carrick-on-Suir and that this plant has been in operation since July 2004. The application for a foreshore lease was processed by this Department in line with standard procedures. Following receipt of the recommendations of the Department's expert advisers, a notice was placed in the local newspaper indicating that plans and details of the proposals were available for public inspection so that interested persons and bodies could make submissions. No submission was received on the matter and a lease issued to the local authority.

The Department has recently been contacted by the Southern Regional Fisheries Board which has expressed some concerns about the placement of a sewage outfall pipe and diffusers in the river Suir downstream of Carrick-on-Suir. The regional fisheries board is particularly concerned that the outfall pipe and diffusers might interfere with the local snap net fishing operations which are due to commence in mid-May this year.

To address these concerns, a representative of the Department's engineering division has met with a Southern Regional Fisheries Board representative at the site and is preparing a report on the matter. I am advised that this report, which will endeavour to ascertain the range and scope of the outfall pipe and diffusers, is expected to be concluded shortly.

Should this report find the outfall pipe and diffusers are likely to have an adverse impact on the local fishing operations, the Department will support the Southern Regional Fisheries Board in seeking to have the identified difficulties suitably rectified by the county council prior to the start of the local fishing season.