Joe Walsh
Question:85 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to designate a river (details supplied) in County Cork as a salmonoid river. [10292/97]
Written Answers. - Designation of Rivers.
The Environmental Protection Agency report Water Quality in Ireland 1991-1994 indicates that over 95 per cent of the channel length of the river referred to is unpolluted and the remainder affected by slight pollution. The condition of the river represents a marked improvement on the position reported for the previous survey period (1987-90) when only 61 per cent of the river channel was unpolluted.
I will shortly announce a comprehensive strategy intended to maintain and enhance the quality of freshwaters. As part of this strategy, I intend to consider the making of additional designations under Directive 78/659/EEC (Freshwater Fish Directive) taking account of the views of local authorities, the Department of Marine and fisheries interests. Subject to these views, it is my intention to include the river in question in the next series of designations.