Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 June 2026
11. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the actions taken by Inland Fisheries Ireland and other relevant agencies following the large-scale fish kill in the Blackwater in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46080/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra12. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the inter-agency protocols that are in place to respond to significant fish kill incidents; whether these protocols were followed in the case of the River Glyde incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46081/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra13. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the engagement that has taken place with affected local communities, anglers, and environmental groups following the Blackwater fish kill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46082/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12 and 13 together.
The Blackwater incident was the largest fish kill recorded in Ireland and caused great concern and distress within the local community and right across the country. Despite an extensive investigation no cause was found. My key objective following the incident was to ensure lessons were learned and an independent review of the State’s response to the incident was carried out by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).
While the JRC Report, published in February 2026, confirms that State agencies responded quickly and appropriately once the incident was reported, it also identified opportunities where coordination and communication could be improved and acknowledged a ‘detection gap’ exists, that is where a short-lived pollution event occurs and dissipates before it is detected, limiting the investigation and enforcement.
A range of recommendations were identified by the JRC including the development of an inter-agency protocol to improve coordination, information sharing and communication between relevant agencies. This protocol, which is close to finalisation, will ensure that the relevant expertise, resources and information are brought together quickly and will ensure consistency in how incidents are handled and communicated in the future.
The JRC report also included some longer-term recommendations, such as real-time monitoring infrastructure, which require careful planning, design and investment and further consideration on how best to progress these is underway by the relevant authorities.
As it as not yet been formally adopted, the Inter-Agency Protocol was not activated in the case of the River Glyde. However, the response to this incident reflected many of its operational elements through close inter-agency coordination and joint investigation.
Inland Fisheries Ireland has implemented a comprehensive work programme for the Blackwater for 2026. This includes enhanced stakeholder and inter-agency engagement, in-stream water quality monitoring and habitat and fish population surveys. A genetic study, which will include citizen science initiatives involving local anglers and angling groups, is also being completed to identify areas where targeted actions would be most beneficial. Additional seasonal fisheries staff have also been deployed to the area for the 2026 season.
