John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the situation regarding the weir at Lacken Bridge in Kilkenny City; the number of fish which have died to date in 2005 as a result of the faulty fish pass; the reason action was not taken before to remedy the problem at the weir in view of the fact that 1,000 salmon died as a direct result of the faulty fish pass in December 2004 and January 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32880/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I have previously advised the House that the works carried out on the weir at Lacken Bridge on the River Nore in Kilkenny city were undertaken on behalf of, and are therefore the responsibility of, the Office of Public Works. Earlier this year, I became aware of difficulties arising from the works when I was advised by Deputy McGuinness, who recently gave me some DVD footage, and the Southern Regional Fisheries Board that some salmon encountered difficulties migrating to the spawning grounds during an eight-day period at the start of January 2005 when water levels throughout the catchment area, specifically at Lacken Weir in Kilkenny, were low. I have been assured by the chief executive officer of the board that reports of 1,000 fish dying as a result of the difficulties were grossly exaggerated and that there was no evidence to substantiate such claims. The CEO has advised me that the board's staff, who closely monitored the situation at that time, found evidence of no more than 25 salmon casualties as a result of the difficulties identified at the weir in early 2005. Since then, the board and the engineering division of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, having considered a report provided by Deputy McGuinness, have provided technical expertise to address the problem. I understand from the CEO of the board that his staff, in co-operation with the engineers in the Department and the OPW, worked during low water in the summer months to install remedial measures at the fish pass to ameliorate the situation and to ensure improvement for the passage of fish up the river.

Despite recent reports that salmon are encountering difficulties passing through Lacken Weir, I understand that the Southern Regional Fisheries Board is satisfied that the remedial works carried out on the fish pass are proving effective in ensuring salmon passage at the weir. The board's chief executive officer has advised me that he has agreed with the OPW to put a camera into the fish pass to monitor the situation more closely and to provide evidence of the number of salmon getting through or otherwise. I understand that the OPW will cover the cost of the camera, which will be installed as soon as weather and river conditions allow. The officials of the Department and the board will consider any further information brought to their attention about the operation of the weir.