Fish protection laws ‘putting people’s lives at risk’

County councillors in West Cork are to meet with Inland Fisheries Ireland officials shortly to outline concerns that legislation protecting fish is putting people’s lives at risk.

There were angry scenes at a council meeting in Clonakilty earlier this week when councillors discussed legislation which is restricting cleaning of rivers in flood prone areas.

Cllr Noel O’Donovan (FG) said he had visited Rathbarry last week to see the aftermath of the latest flooding.

“It’s making my blood boil. People are living in constant fear. They used to be able years ago to walk under the bridge. Now they can’t do so,” he said.

Mr O’Donovan said that if the survey proved the river was a spawning bed it could hold up cleaning works for a long time.

He said councillors were also preparing to meet villagers in Rathbarry and Ballinascarty to discuss flooding issues with them.

“It’s mind-boggling what legislation you have to go through to clean a river,” Cllr Dermot Sheehan (FG) said, adding there were many stretches of the River Ilen at flood-prone Skibbereen which were choked with debris.

“I remember a time when the OPW used to clean the river beds and now they’ve stopped doing it. We need to stand up and speak on behalf of people who have been flooded,” Cllr Danny Crowley (FF) said.

His party colleague Cllr Donal O’Rourke said householders had the right to defend themselves against an intruder, but didn’t have the right to clean a river or stream which if clogged with debris had the potential to destroy their home.

“This is unfair and inequitable,” he said.

Chairman of the council’s Western Committee, Cllr John O’Sullivan, said it wasn’t acceptable to protect wildlife at the cost of people having their homes or businesses destroyed.

“I know several farmers who would clear the rivers, but are afraid to do so because of the legislation,” he said.