Vol. 507 No. 2
49 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the serious pollution problem at the Kings River, Kells, County Kilkenny; if this situation is being monitored; if he has satisfied himself with the quality of the water; and the steps, if any, being taken to eliminate the contamination of this river. [16399/99]
Following reports earlier this month of crayfish mortalities in the Kings River, an intensive investigation, including water and tissue sampling and analysis, has been under way by the Southern Regional Fisheries Board and the Marine Institute in conjunction with the EPA and Dúchas. I am advised that to date the precise cause of the crayfish mortalities has not been identified and that the analysis is ongoing. The brown trout population in the Kings River was not apparently affected. In addition to continuing its investigations to establish whether specific contamination or disease problems are the cause of the crayfish mortalities, the fisheries board is working with the relevant agencies to tackle general eutrophication problems in the Kings River.
50 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will have the application for eel and drift net licences reviewed for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and the reason both applications were refused. [16401/99]
The allocation of fishing licences in accordance with the relevant criteria is the responsibility of the regional fisheries boards.
At my request, the Southern Regional Fisheries Board which is the relevant board in this instance, has undertaken to contact the Deputy directly regarding the individual applications in question.
