Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005
362 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the funding set aside in the River Nore flood relief scheme to re-stock the river when the scheme is completed; the timeframe for restocking the river; when it is likely to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1195/05]
View answerThere is no specific funding set aside at present to restock the River Nore on completion of the drainage scheme as there are no indications to date that such a measure will be required.
Fish population has been carefully considered by the Office of Public Works and the Central Fisheries Board prior to and during the scheme. The Southern Regional Fisheries Board has also been intimately involved in fisheries considerations as the River Nore lies within its jurisdiction. As part of the requirements of the environmental impact statement, a fish population study was carried out on the River Nore prior to the commencement of works on the drainage scheme. As it was evident that the scheme works would have an impact on the fishery habitat, appropriate mitigation measures were incorporated into the scheme works.
Fish population surveys will be carried out post-scheme in order to establish if fish stocks have recovered naturally as it is anticipated they will. An initial study will take place in autumn 2005 with further monitoring studies to be carried out over the next four years. These studies will be carried out by the Central Fisheries Board, working with the Southern Regional Fisheries Board, on behalf of the Office of Public Works.
If the initial survey indicates a depletion of fish stocks, the Central Fisheries Board will advise the OPW of the appropriate measures required and a timeframe for the implementation of any such measures will then be established. The Central Fisheries Board has, however, indicated that physical restoration work to encourage reproduction of the rivers' indigenous stock is usually the method preferred for building up fish stock, particularly in a naturally productive river such as the Nore, as it encourages bio-diversity and does not undermine the genetic structures of the native river fish populations.
The substantial late run of salmon, which caused problems at Lacken Weir some weeks ago, is an encouraging sign that natural recovery will occur successfully.
363 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if he will approve the flood relief scheme for Bandon. [1215/05]
View answerCork County Council submitted an engineering report to the Commissioners of Public Works, which makes proposals in relation to a flood relief scheme for Bandon, County Cork. This report is currently being considered by OPW and a decision on including Bandon in the OPW programme of potential flood relief schemes will be made as soon as possible.
