Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
227. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures that will be taken to fix the fish pass installed as a part of flood relief works in Bandon town, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23591/21]
View answer233. 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. [23051/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 233 together.
The Bandon River fish pass was completed as part of the Bandon Flood Relief Scheme in 2018 for the migration of aquatic species upstream of the pre-existing weir.
Having become aware that the bed of this fish pass had suffered deterioration through the erosion of bed material at the upstream end of the structure during particularly heavy flows in February 2021, site inspections were immediately undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), and emergency measures were agreed for the alleviation of this problem.
The proposed solution comprised 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 could pass with greater ease. An Appropriate Assessment Screening process for the work was completed, in line with the requirements of the Habitats Directive, and a contractor was appointed to undertake the works.
The emergency works were carried out by the appointed contractor under the supervision of the OPW and their consultants (incl. a fisheries specialist) on the night of Tuesday April 27th last. The works as completed were judged to have had the planned effect of creating a pool from which the fish could pass with greater ease and the work site was cleared by the early morning of Wednesday April 28th.
The estimated cost of these emergency works is €70,000 (excluding VAT.).
An investigation into the reasons for the deterioration of the bed material on the fish pass has commenced and a longer term solution will be developed with a view to fully rectifying the issue over the coming months.
