Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposals and practical implantation strategies which have been adopted as a result of interdepartmental consultations and meetings with local interests, in relation to the ongoing threat of an environmental kind to Lough Corrib and Lough Mask in County Galway; his views on these matters regarding the concerned groups in the locality of these lakes who have sought such information from him and his Department. [21660/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Primary responsibility for protecting water quality rests with the relevant local authorities and proposals to deal with environmental threats in this area is a matter for these bodies to decide, in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

I am aware, through the Western Regional Fisheries Board, of the concerns held by local stakeholders about the decline in water quality and the impact on fisheries in Lough Corrib and Lough Mask. Late last year, I met a delegation from the Carra Mask Corrib Water Protection Group Limited, along with my colleagues the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Minister for Agriculture and Food and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, at which I heard the group's views on the causes and effects of the enrichment of these waters.

I share the concerns expressed for the stocks of salmonids and freshwater pearl mussels and take confidence from the assurances given by the Ministers and the agencies operating under their aegis, to work in partnership with local interests to find practical and effective solutions to address the matter. I assure the Deputy that the central and western regional fisheries boards will make every effort to ensure that fishery concerns are placed high on the agenda when these solutions are being implemented.