River Lagan: Gravel Removal

Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture and Rural Development – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 3:15 pm on 2 November 2015.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Claire Hanna Claire Hanna Social Democratic and Labour Party 3:15, 2 November 2015

T2. Ms Hanna asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to advise whether DARD and the Rivers Agency have restored the river bed at the Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park or reimbursed the Lagan Canal Trust, given that she will be aware of the removal last month of a lot of gravel from the bed of the River Lagan at that location in south Belfast and the impact that that has had on salmon spawning there and the risk of increased winter flooding. (AQT 3052/11-16)

Photo of Michelle O'Neill Michelle O'Neill Sinn Féin

I do not believe that the Rivers Agency needs to reimburse. I do not have all the details of that scenario, but I had a conversation with the Rivers Agency about it last week. There was very much a partnership approach. The council and others were involved in the project. The Rivers Agency did not feel that it was at fault, but I am happy to write to the Member with more details on the next steps. We do not want to interfere with the spawning of salmon and want to make sure that that process is ongoing.

Photo of Claire Hanna Claire Hanna Social Democratic and Labour Party

On the back of that, the angling clubs are concerned that there is miscommunication between DARD, DCAL and them. Has the Minister any suggestions on what mechanisms might be put in place to address that communications imbalance?

Photo of Michelle O'Neill Michelle O'Neill Sinn Féin

Inland fisheries are DCAL's responsibility. However, in this instance, the Rivers Agency was involved in the work on the banks of the Lagan, so I am very open to a conversation with the CAL Minister if there is a need for that. We took action last week on the back of what happened. I was approached by local media, who raised the issue with me. We will not be found wanting in working together if that is what is needed to make sure that we correct the problem.