Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 325 of 10 July 2012, if he will confirm his plans for the re-instatement of Reendonegan Lake, Bantry, County Cork (details supplied); the timetable for the work to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35278/12]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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This matter originally came to the attention of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and only more recently was the matter raised with my department for action.

From the information that has become available since this issued was raised, I am informed that Reendonegan Lake was created in and around the late 1950s and was stocked as a put and take fishery by the Inland Fisheries Trust. When originally created the lake had the ability to discharge to the sea with non-return valves which allowed freshwater to exit the lake but prevented the saltwater from re-entering. It was primarily fresh-water with some salt water influences around the end closest to the sea. In or around March 2011 following some works to alleviate a gravel build-up on the seaward side of the outfall undertaken by the local interests – the entire outfall gave way and allowed the sea to tidally enter the lake. The lake is currently salt water. I have asked Inland Fisheries Ireland to assess the feasibility and practicalities of restoring the barrage – including the appropriate consents, co-operation and agreement of the local interest groups including the Rowing Club and adjacent landowners and costs and revert to me with a plan of action over the next few months.