Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
860. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason Inland Fisheries Ireland has withheld its design and deliver service for in-stream works with its new working agreement with the OPW. [54141/18]
View answerFisheries enhancement and in-stream works are now primarily progressed through the National Strategy for Angling Development (NASD). Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) provides a project management office, project officers, online guidance, workshops and meetings to support applications under the NSAD. In addition a panel of appropriately qualified consultants has been formed to provide advice on the design and installation of instream and riparian fisheries enhancement works. IFI and the Office of Public Works (OPW) Flood Risk Management Unit signed a shared service agreement in July 2018, which will see continued collaboration over the next five years in the protection of fishery requirements while carrying out flood risk management investment activities. The agreement will see both parties work closely together to help ensure the country’s statutory drainage objectives are achieved with an appropriate focus on the protection of fishery habitats and resources.
The OPW is the lead statutory body for Drainage Maintenance and Flood Risk Management (FRM) in the State, while IFI is the statutory body responsible for the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Over recent years, IFI has provided training for OPW in the core elements of fish friendly riverine design and channel maintenance.
The revised 5 year agreement, which includes inter alia the provision of dedicated staff support from within IFI, has been secured at a time when Government investment in flood risk management operations is increasing. It follows the recent publication of the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans which will see some €1 billion in funding under the National Development Plan invested in projects across the country to mitigate flood risk. The new partnership formalises the historical working relationship between the two organisations and commits them to continuing their positive engagement for Ireland’s fishery habitats and resources.
