Vol. 552 No. 1
259 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the com mitment given by the Office of Public Works to restore the Mulkear and Newport rivers following damage caused by drainage work which has had an adverse effect on angling in the rivers; when the restoration work will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11953/02]
Two flood relief schemes in the Mulkear River catchment at Newport, County Tipperary, and Cappamore, County Limerick, were completed by the Office of Public Works in 1998 and 2000 respectively. The Office of Public Works retained the services of the Central Fisheries Board before, during and since the execution of the Mulkear catchment drainage schemes. This body provided advice on mitigation measures in relation to the fisheries habitat and is monitoring the effect of the works on the fish population. This monitoring has not to date shown any significant deterioration in fish stocks resulting from the flood relief schemes. Discussions on fishery enhancement measures on the wider Mulkear catchment are ongoing with the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board and local fisheries interests.
