Minister pledges stronger laws and clearer response after massive Cork fish kill

Fisheries minister Timmy Dooley says he will overhaul pollution laws and create a coordinated response system after the Blackwater disaster

In August, tens of thousands of fish died in the River Blackwater due to a chemical pollutant in the water

Minister for fisheries Timmy Dooley has said he is “owning the problem” following the fallout from the major fish kill in Cork, and will bring forward legislative proposals for a “future system” to address similar incidents.

Speaking to Philip Boucher-Hayes on RTÉ Radio, Mr Dooley said he had written to the chair of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) this week regarding fines and penalties for those polluting waterways, as well as the report on the interagency response to the Blackwater incident.

On the same programme, representatives from the IFI, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Marine Institute discussed their roles in responding to the disaster.

“I'm putting in place a series of steps now to try to understand how we can bring together a legislative basis or a protocol across an interagency response that will to the best extent possible, based on everything that we have learned from this, put in place a future system,” the minister said.

In August, tens of thousands of fish died in the River Blackwater due to a chemical pollutant in the water. The incident is expected to significantly set back fish stocks in the region, which could take up to 10 years to fully recover.

The outcome of the investigation into the Blackwater fish kill, where a multi-agency task force failed to identify the pollutant or those responsible, has shocked and angered anglers and local communities along the river.

An Oireachtas committee heard last month that the response of State bodies to the incident resulted in a lack of evidence, making prosecution difficult.

Timmy Dooley said he had written to the chair of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) this week regarding fines and penalties for those polluting waterways. Picture:Gareth Chaney/Collins

Speaking on Saturday, the fisheries minister said it was important to take measures to restore public confidence in Ireland’s waterways.

"When the program for government was put together earlier this year, and there was a commitment in that to modernize and consolidate legislation as it relates to inland fisheries,” Mr Dooley said.

“Now I recognize that that's a reasonably long term project, and whilst I'm conscious that our department are engaged with the IFI to bring a more modernised approach to it, it's going to take time.” 

Mr Dooley also raised concerns about repeat polluters who have committed multiple breaches.

“My concern is where there's consistent breaches over a prolonged period of time, and where there doesn't seem to be a recognition by the entity concerned that there's a necessity to make the investment in the systems and structures in their organisation to limit to the greatest extent possible any breach of the guidelines and the license guidelines within the license that exists,” he said.

“So, what's very clear is that I have concerns, but I just can't go on a whim. I need the IFI and as I said, I've communicated with them to come back to me with the response based on their detailed analysis in relation to their role from the conservation and protection of the fish stock.” 

He added that there was a need for a clearly defined protocol outlining responsibilities in the event of future incidents, and confirmed he had asked the IFI to report back on this.