The Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment has primary responsibility for environmental legislation. Inland Fisheries Ireland, an agency of that Minister, have been dealing with the fish mortality incident on the Munster Blackwater 2025 and subsequent investigation.
Minister of State Timmy Dooley at the Department for Climate, Energy and the Environment, whose responsibilities included Inland Fisheries Ireland, established and Inter Agency Group (IAG) to conduct a joint investigation, led by Inland Fisheries Ireland, with the Environmental Protection Agency and Cork County Council, supported by the Marine Institute, Uisce Éireann, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Health Service Executive, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO).
The summary report, which provides a synopsis of the main findings from each of the Agency investigation is available at www.fisheriesireland.ie/news/media-releases/summary-report-of-the-investigation-into-fish-mortalities-in-the-blackwater .
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) was invited to participate in the (IAG) and attended the IAG meetings in a supporting role having regard to its statutory responsibilities for farm animal/ health and welfare. The Department has reviewed results produced by the group together with relevant associated information. Based on this and the significant amount of work commissioned and completed by the IAG as part of the inter-agency investigation there is no indication that livestock health and the food chain from primary production was affected by this incident.
Any further queries on matters falling within the responsibility of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment should be directed to that Minister or relevant agencies.
