15. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if the cause, and the perpetrator, of the large fish kill in Blackwater, north Cork in 2025 has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29366/26]

Despite an extensive investigation, the cause and source of the fish kill on the River Blackwater in August last year could not be identified. In September 2025, a summary report on the investigation was published by Inland Fisheries Ireland or IFI on behalf of the inter-agency group set up to coordinate the investigation. This report concludes that the most likely explanation is that the incident was caused by a short-lived pollutant that dissipated before the incident was reported, making it impossible to detect and trace to a specific source.

Following the incident, an independent review was carried out by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre or JRC. The JRC Report, published in February 2026, confirms that State agencies responded quickly and appropriately once the incident was reported. The JRC 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. These are currently being progressed - including the development of an inter-agency protocol, which is close to finalisation, to improve coordination, information sharing and communication between relevant agencies. Other recommendations, such as real-time monitoring infrastructure, require careful planning, design and investment and further consideration as to how best to progress these is underway by the relevant authorities.