Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

102. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the investigation into the fish kill on the River Blackwater in August 2025; the actions being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future; if he is satisfied with the current EPA licensing and enforcement regime, particularly in light of recent non-compliance issues at industrial sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59707/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish again to acknowledge the seriousness of the fish kill that occurred on the River Blackwater and its tributaries near Mallow, Co Cork, and I fully recognise the enormous impact this incident has had on local communities, anglers and users of this important river catchment.

The investigation into the fish kill has now concluded and a summary report on the investigation was published on 25 September by Inland Fisheries Ireland on behalf of the inter-agency group set up to coordinate the investigation. This report provides a clear account of the State’s response to, and the investigation into, the incident.

The investigation conclusively ruled out systemic diseases, water quality and discharges and the evidence points to a short-lived waterborne irritant, which dissipated before it could be traced back to a source.

While it is regrettable that no specific cause was found, I can assure the Deputy that this was not due to lack of action or effort but because the event was transient. I am satisfied that every avenue was investigated with over 40 site inspections, 900-chemical screens, pathology tests and extensive monitoring, sampling and surveys carried out by the Inter-Agency Group.

The priority now is to apply lessons learned from this event, strengthen enforcement and build resilience, to ensure that we are better prepared to prevent and respond to any such future incidents. In that connection, I wrote to the Chair of IFI on 10 October 2025 requesting that IFI, as the primary agency for investigating fish kills, lead an independent incident review on behalf of the Inter-Agency Group that was established to carry out an investigation into the significant fish kill on the River Blackwater in August 2025. The purpose of the review is to consider the actions taken during the Blackwater incident, assess their effectiveness and make recommendations on how future prevention and response can be improved.

Under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, the Minister is precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of its functions with respect to particular licences. The Department is responsible for setting the policy and legislative framework within which the key environmental regulators discharge their functions, including the Agency with regard to the environmental licensing of large industrial installations. Any queries in relation to facilities licenced by the EPA should be addressed directly to the Agency, as the body responsible for monitoring licence conditions.