Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
325. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the actions being taken to address the serious deterioration of the recently constructed Bandon river fish pass; the estimated costs of these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22252/21]
View answerLast month, the Office of Public Works (OPW) became aware that the bed of the fish pass, completed as part of the Bandon Flood Relief Scheme in 2018 for the migration of aquatic species upstream of the pre-existing weir, had suffered deterioration through the erosion of bed material at the upstream end of the structure.
Site inspections were immediately undertaken by OPW and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and emergency measures have now been agreed to alleviate this problem. An Appropriate Assessment Screening process for the proposed work has been completed, in line with the requirements of the Habitats Directive. The proposed solution will comprise large boulders being placed in a line across the width of the fish pass - close to the ‘step’ at the upstream end of the pass - to create a pool from which the fish can pass with greater ease.
A contractor has been appointed to undertake the works and consultations are underway with landowners in relation to access for the proposed works. It is planned to commence the works in the coming days and to have all works completed within the next week to 10 days. The estimated cost of these emergency works is approximately €70,000 (excl. VAT).
In addition, an investigation into the reasons for the deterioration of the bed material on the fish pass has commenced. A longer term solution will be developed with a view to fully rectifying the issue over the coming months.
