181. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for a detailed update on the implementation of the joint research centre recommendations arising from the report into Blackwater fish kill; the way in which to better handle these incidents in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62515/26]

My key objective following the Blackwater incident was to ensure lessons were learned and an independent review of the State’s response to the incident was carried out by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). In their report, the JRC made a number of recommendations on how future prevention and response can be improved.

A significant number of the JRC recommendations related to improving inter-agency coordination, communication, information sharing and the management of fish kill incidents. These recommendations have been addressed through the development and implementation of the Inter-Agency Protocol for Coordinating Significant Fish Mortality Events, launched in June 2026.

This protocol establishes a clear, agreed framework for how State agencies work together when responding to a major fish kill. It has been activated in response to a number of incidents over the summer and has proven effective in supporting more coordinated, timely and structured inter-agency responses.

The protocol is available on Inland Fisheries Ireland's website at: www.fisheriesireland.ie/sites/default/files/2026-06/National%20Protocol%20Report%202026_online%20low%20resolution.pdf.

The JRC report also made a number of more strategic recommendations aimed at strengthening the State’s capacity to prevent and detect fish kills over the longer-term, including in areas such as monitoring, early detection and risk assessment, which require careful planning, design and investment. An action plan is being developed by the Department to provide a structured approach to addressing these recommendations. The plan has been drafted and will be sent to relevant agencies for consideration shortly, with a view to agreeing appropriate responsibilities and timelines for implementation.

Taken together, the Protocol and Action Plan will strengthen the State’s response to fish kills and improve our capacity to identify risks, detect incidents early and respond more effectively in the future.