Louth Labour TD, Ged Nash says authorities should “throw the book” at whoever is found responsible for a devastating fish kill on the Glyde River.
Deputy Nash said: “I have been in touch with Inland Fisheries since constituents reported the fish kill on the Glyde River to me, earlier this week.
“I understand that Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency are investigating the incident and following a definite line of enquiry.
“I hope the investigation will be swift and thorough. Frankly, I am losing patience with the relaxed attitude we have taken in this country to the regular and systematic pollution of our waterways.
“While not wanting to prejudice the investigation, many of these incidents are sourced back to agricultural practices. Media interviews with IFI officials strongly suggest that agriculture is the cause of this massive kill. The situation in terms of the poor health of our rivers is likely to worsen with successive governments making the case for a form of Irish exceptionalism when it comes to the intensive use of nitrates.”
Deputy Nash added: “I welcome Inland Fisheries Ireland’s response to this latest fish kill on the Glyde Rover, near Tallanstown and understand that they have had officers on the ground, investigating this since Tuesday evening.
“Significant numbers of Atlantic salmon, brown trout, pike and coarse fish have been lost in the river and we don’t yet know what the long-term impact on the health of the river might be.
“I hope the IFI and the EPA will conduct the investigation swiftly and that those responsible will be identified and sanctioned appropriately. We cannot continue to treat our watercourses as effective dumping grounds.”
The local TD said: “I know members of the Dee and Glyde Fishing Development Association and they will be devastated by this fish kill. Stocking this river has been no easy task and the association does a fantastic job of managing the fish population in the Glyde and working with all stakeholders.”
