Written answers

Monday, 11 September 2017

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Inland Fisheries Ireland Funding

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1455. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the additional resources that can be put in place to support Inland Fisheries Ireland in tackling river pollution events that kill fish similar to the incident that occurred in the River Tolka at Mulhuddart in July 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38103/17]

Photo of Seán KyneSeán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has statutory responsibility for the conservation, protection, development and promotion of Ireland’s inland fisheries resource, including sea angling.

An element of IFI’s protection and conservation role include response to pollution incidents and fish kill events.  IFI receives Exchequer allocations each year to support its wide range of functions.  These allocations are not disaggregated between operational functions.  The support of all functions is a day to day operational matter for the Board of IFI.

Pollution and fish kill events and their impacts vary greatly and issues such as the magnitude of the event and the relative health of fish stocks in the particular water body are key considerations in relation to potential interventions. In addition, IFI concentrates on prevention via information dissemination and education and as a matter of policy seeks to prosecute polluters.

Where it is notified of such events, IFI would immediately deploy resources to contain and assess the situation. Subsequent to immediate response, IFI assesses each individual incident to consider what if any remedial interventions may be required and whether natural rehabilitation is the best solution to ensure genetic integrity of the stocks.  

IFI considers that the Tolka and its fish stocks are particularly vulnerable to the impact of pollution and ensures a rapid response when incidents are reported in order to mitigate impacts 

I am happy to advise the Deputy that, in relation to the fish kill incident on the River Tolka, IFI met with representatives from the local angling clubs last month to discuss matters following the incident and to identify any way IFI can help the remediate the impacts. It was agreed at the meeting that:

1.  IFI will stock fish to the Tolka – this will likely happen in March 2018 ahead of the fishing season

2.  IFI will support clubs for competitions and other community initiatives

3.  IFI will support the call for mapping of pipes in the vicinity of the River

IFI is also investigating the possibility of working with the clubs involved, the Local Authority and other relevant agencies on the potential to develop a youth angling venue on the Tolka - similar to the Darndale Lake/Corkagh Park development.

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