MulkearLIFE brief Minister of Environment, Phil Hogan TD

MulkearLIFE brief Minister of Environment, Phil Hogan TD

MulkearLIFE’s Project Manager, Mr. Ruairí Ó Conchúir, was delighted to have an opportunity today to brief Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan TD, about the work of the project.

The briefing took place at the end of the official launch of MulkearLIFE’s sister project Duhallow LIFE. The briefing related to the progress achieved to date on the restoration of the Lower Shannon Special Area of Conservation (Mulkear River catchment) for Atlantic Salmon, Sea Lamprey and European Otter. Minister Hogan was familiar with the initial drainage work which had been undertaken within the catchment and was delighted to learn of the work of MulkearLIFE.

Minister Hogan at the launch of the Duhallow LIFE project

MulkearLIFE was also in a position to present the Minister with a detailed report on the significant progress achieved by the main project partners, Inland Fisheries Ireland (Coordinating Beneficiary), the Office of Public Works and Limerick County Council (Associated Beneficiaries) and the significant support role played by the Ministers’ own department, the National Parks & Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment (who are a significant co-financier of MulkearLIFE).

Minister Hogan had earlier noted, that “it is no mean achievement to secure funding under the EU LIFE+ programme. Money from Brussels doesn’t come easy as we all well know and then only after the most rigorous assessment process. To put it in context, under LIFE+ in 2010 only about 25% of projects submitted received funding. Therefore, only projects of a very high quality and standard can expect to be successful.”

River Water Crowfoot – Bilboa River

The MulkearLIFE project wishes Minister Hogan well in his new role and looks forward to welcoming him to view the work of MulkearLIFE and our project partners at a future date.