Inland Fisheries Ireland has explained how Assan Bridge falls into a conservation area for Atlantic salmon.
Councillors in Cavan had questioned the presence of the fish, which was one of the reasons repair works had to be halted.
Construction of a straight-through bridge was set to begin this year, however the plan involved realigning the water flow below and required the approval of Inland Fisheries Ireland.
On-site engineers approved the works, but a senior official said changing the path of the river would interfere with the Atlantic salmon and brown trout in the river and the flies that they feed on.
At a recent meeting of Bailieborough-Cootehill MD, Fine Gael's Val Smith hit out at the observation from the state agency in relation to works at Assan Bridge near New Inns.
He said the salmon "which are not there" are getting preference over road safety.
In a statement to Shannonside Northern Sound News, Inland Fisheries explained their position, saying the stream in question is a tributary of the River Kells Blackwater and forms part of a Special Area of Conservation designated for Atlantic salmon and Lamprey among other species.
It continues that the stream also provides important spawning and nursery habitat for Brown trout populations in Lough Ramor and the Kells Blackwater.
IFI says it has made no further comment on the proposed development since expressing these views to Cavan County Council and has no objection to the bridge works as outlined in available preliminary engineering designs.
Consultants and design engineers have now been recalled to put forward an alternative design, with Councillor Smith saying he was disappointed that it means secured funding will go elsewhere, and repair works have to be pushed out further.
Statement from Inland Fisheries Ireland
“Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state agency responsible for the conservation, protection, management, marketing, development and improvement of our inland fisheries and sea angling resources. IFI was contacted in May 2021 by Cavan County Council seeking views on the realignment of the Nadrageel Lough Stream as a component of proposed civil engineering works at Assan Bridge. IFI highlighted the good ecological status of the stream at this location and the fact that it is a tributary of the River Kells Blackwater and forms part of this sensitive catchment (which includes a Special Area of Conservation designated for Atlantic salmon and Lamprey among other species and habitats). IFI also highlighted the fact that the stream provides important spawning and nursery habitat for Brown trout populations in Lough Ramor / the Kells Blackwater system. With these sensitivities in mind, IFI expressed a preference that the channel upstream of the bridge would not be realigned as part of the bridge project but rather retained in its natural state if possible. IFI has no objection to the bridge works as outlined in available preliminary engineering designs and has made no further comment in respect of the proposed development since expressing these views to Cavan County Council.”
