Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 September 2025
182. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the way in which a multi-agency investigation confirmed the extent of the August 2025 fish kill in the Blackwater but failed to establish a source or cause; and if additional investigative steps such as independent hydrological analysis or technical assistance from the European Commission will now be undertaken. [50871/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra184. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to explain his Department’s final position on the cause of the Blackwater fish kill, given public communications that evolved from possible disease to pollution; and to reconcile this with laboratory results published on 18 and 19 September 2025. [50907/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 184 together.
An Inter-Agency Group was established to investigate the incident and to ensure that a coordinated and thorough response was in place. This group is coordinated by IFI and includes the Environmental Protection Agency, the Marine Institute, Cork County Council, the Local Authorities Water Programme, Uisce Éireann, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Health Services Executive. The Group has met several times, including three times under my chairmanship.
Over the last month, extensive investigations and testing have been carried out by the relevant agencies and all potential pollution sources in the area have been examined. While pathology testing carried out by the Marine Institute indicated that possible exposure to some form of environmental insult or water-borne irritant was likely to have caused or contributed to the incident, no definitive cause for the fish kill has been identified in any of the test results. Unfortunately, this is not unusual. In some cases the triggering factor has either dissipated or is not detectable by the time an investigation commences, making identification impossible.
A full incident report will be completed by the Inter Agency Group, which will review the actions taken by all agencies involved and include full and comprehensive findings from all investigations.
There are no plans to undertake an independent hydrological analysis or seek technical assistance from the European Commission. However, if new scientific data becomes available, this position may be reviewed.
