asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the damage done to the salmon and brown trout fishing in the Liffey by the Electricity Supply Board through their action in the releasing of toxic mud through the Leixlip dam on the 1st and 2nd August; and, if so, if he will recommend to the Electricity Supply Board the early need for restocking the Liffey with salmon and brown trout fry to offset the damage done.
Questions— Written Answers. - Damage to Fishing in Liffey.
Mr. A. Byrne
asked the Minister for Agriculture what steps he proposes to take to restock the River Liffey with (a) salmon and (b) trout to compensate for those fish destroyed when the waters of the lake at Leixlip were released in August.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether consultations were held with his Department prior to the release by the Electricity Supply Board of the waters in the lake at Leixlip, County Kildare, with a view to avoiding the destruction of fish thereby, and, if so, whether he will indicate the advice tendered by his Department.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he can give any estimate of the number of (a) salmon, (b) trout and (c) other fish (stating the species) destroyed in the River Liffey in August, 1951, as a result of the release of the waters in the lake at Leixlip, County Kildare.
Mr. Walsh
No consultations on the subject were held with my Department prior to the emptying of the reservoir at Leixlip by the Electricity Supply Board.
It is estimated that between 350 and 400 salmon were destroyed as a result of that operation. No reliable evidence has been forthcoming as regards the destruction of other kinds of fish but from inquiries made it is estimated that the total loss of fish other than salmon was not more than 50. The board has undertaken to make good as far as possible, by restocking, the loss of fish life sustained and it has been arranged that priority will be given to the requirements of the board for this purpose in the allocation of supplies of salmon and trout ova from sources within my control.