Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
313. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the Joint Committee investigation into the Munster Blackwater fish kill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1489/26]
View answer318. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 10 December 2025, the role which IFI are playing in the independent EU Joint Research Committee investigation into the Blackwater Fishkill; when did it begin, specifically the date; the other State agencies which are involved; the details he is aware of in relation to the report currently; if IFI will be hand picking individual anglers and river users to take part in the investigation; when it will be published; the purpose of the investigation, to gather information on the response of the State agencies; the possible pollution source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74093/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 318 together.
Last October, I wrote to the Chair of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) asking IFI to lead an independent incident review of the Blackwater incident on behalf of the Inter-Agency Group established to oversee the investigation into the incident.
IFI subsequently secured the services of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in the European Commission to undertake this review. A letter of engagement was signed in early November 2025 and the review commenced shortly thereafter.
The purpose of this review is to consider the actions taken during the Blackwater incident, assess their effectiveness and make recommendations on how future prevention and response can be improved. JRC, as an independent scientific body, sets its own methodology and reaches its own conclusions. The JRC has full control over the review process, including who it engages with and how the analysis is carried out.
The review is expected to be completed soon. Before publication, the report will be independently reviewed within the JRC to ensure its scientific integrity. I look forward to receiving the report in due course.
