Irish energy firm ESB has agreed to mitigate the loss of a quantity of elvers at its Cathaleen's Fall Hydro Electric Plant on the River Erne.

Minister for Natural Resources Joe Mc Hugh TD and the NI Minister for Arts Culture and Leisure, Caral Ni Chuilin welcomed the agreement.

Minister Mc Hugh said: "I want to commend ESB for the responsibility and diligence they have shown in agreeing a comprehensive package to mitigate the loss of elvers.

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"The package includes the purchase and release of eels into the sea and the extension of its highly successful 'trap and transport' programme on the Erne to carry eels around the Hydro Electric Plant."

Minister Ni Chuilin said: "Officials in my Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have agreed a new protocol to clarify roles and responsibilities regarding the operation of Hydro Electric Plant installations and Fisheries staff from both Government organisations will assist in overseeing the monitoring of elver traps and the subsequent overland transport of them by ESB on the Erne catchment."

(CD/LM)