19. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the action that will be taken against those responsible for killing over 20,000 fish in the River Glyde; the action he will take to prevent fish kills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44549/26]

On Friday last, I visited the River Glyde to witness first-hand the impact of this very serious pollution incident. Inland Fisheries Ireland or IFI, who are leading on this investigation, estimate that over 20,000 fish have been lost over a 25-kilometre stretch of the river in counties Monaghan and Louth.

The initial report was received by IFI on 2nd June and IFI officers were on site immediately. The source of the pollution was identified as an agricultural discharge that evening and the discharge was stopped. A definite line of enquiry has been established, and a file is being prepared by IFI for prosecution. As the investigation is ongoing, it is not appropriate to comment further on this case.

IFI is continuing its extensive monitoring and recovery work on the river. Louth County Council has confirmed oxygen levels are improving and Uisce Éireann has confirmed that public drinking water supplies remain unaffected.

I recognise that fish kills, particularly of this scale, are deeply concerning for local communities, anglers, and landowners who invest significant time and effort into protecting and improving our waterways. Preventing incidents of this nature is a priority.

We last saw an incident of this scale in August 2025 on the River Blackwater in County Cork. An inter-agency group was established at that time to collaborate on the investigation and that group remains in place. We also asked the EU Joint Research Centre or JRC to carry out an independent, science-based review of the State’s response to the incident. While the JRC confirmed that State agencies responded quickly and appropriately once the incident was reported, it also identified areas where improvements can be made and where systems can be strengthened.

The report provides a range of practical, forward-looking recommendations aimed at preventing, detecting and improving the coordinated response to future fish kills. The recommendations are being addressed, including the development of an Inter-Agency Protocol to ensure that the relevant expertise, resources and information can be brought together quickly when required and ensure incidents are handled and communicated consistently in the future.

The report also sets out a range of longer-term recommendations that will require detailed assessments and technical, operational and financial planning. These recommendations, which include strengthening of early-warning and detection monitoring systems and restoration measures to improve catchment resilience, also need to be considered alongside existing arrangements, in particular measures addressing EU obligations such as the Water Framework Directive, the Environmental Liability Directive and the Industrial Emissions Directive, to ensure that actions taken will complement and enhance existing systems rather than duplicate or replace them.