Frank Feighan
Ceist:206 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the ESB fishery division or any employee or agent hold an eel dealers licence now or in the past. [8447/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 17 February 2010
Ceisteanna (153, 154, 155)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware eel dealer licences are issued in accordance with Part X of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 (as amended) by the relevant Regional Fisheries Board. I have been advised by the ESB that neither ESB Fisheries Conservation nor any employee of ESB Fisheries Conservation hold an eel dealers licence or have held such a licence in the past. I am informed that ESB is not aware that any of its agents hold such licences.
Frank Feighan
Ceist:207 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he proposes to have the indemnity from prosecution given to ESB under section 11 of the Electricity Amendment Act 1945 Section 11 removed for example in the case of a landslide which destroys a river and fish stocks. [8448/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra
I have requested by Department, in consultation with the Department's legal adviser, as well as ESB to review the relevant provision in the Electricity Amendment Act 1945 in light of national and EU environmental legislative developments.
Question No. 208 answered with Question No. 205.
Frank Feighan
Ceist:209 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether the impact of hydropower was a factor in the destruction of eels on the Shannon and Erne systems. [8450/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in the Irish Eel Management Plan (EMP) prepared under EC Regulation No 1100 of 2007, six catchments, including the Shannon and the Erne have major hydropower installations in the lower catchments. According to the results of studies by the International Council for Exploration of the Sea the average mortality per turbine installation amounts to 28.5% (ICES 2003). This figure was used in assessing the impact of hydropower in the EMP. One of the four management measures in the EMP is the mitigation of the impact of hydropower, including the operation of a comprehensive silver eel "trap and transport" plan. As previously advised to the Deputy ESB entered into contracts during 2009 with eight parties to carry out trap and transport on the Rivers Shannon, Lee and Erne on their behalf.