86. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the specific pollution source that is suspected in relation to the fish kill on the River Rye in Kildare; whether any individual, business, farm or facility has been identified as a potential cause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53396/26]

87. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the fish kill on the River Rye in Kildare indicates a failure in regulatory oversight by the EPA, Kildare County Council or any other authority; the corrective actions that will be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53397/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the State agency responsible for the protection, management, and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea-angling resources.

When IFI first received a report regarding a fish kill on the Rye, an initial investigation was carried out to assess the impact on fish. IFI subsequently triggered the National Protocol for Coordinating the Response to Significant Fish Mortality Events in Freshwater and established a 'Significant Incident Investigation Group'. This group included the EPA, Kildare County Council and other statutory bodies.

This Protocol, which was agreed, finalised and published last month, provides, for the first time, a clear and coordinated framework for how agencies will work together when responding to a significant fish kill incident. It is an excellent example of how agencies can combine their statutory powers, expertise and resources to deliver a coordinated, science-led and transparent response.

I reject any suggestion of failure in regulatory oversight by the State bodies and the local authority who acted promptly and effectively on notification of this incident. Indeed, I have been informed by IFI that a source is suspected and a definite line of enquiry has been established and is being pursued. The investigation is ongoing and, at this time, it would not be appropriate to provide any further detail as doing so may jeopardise any future potential legal proceedings.