Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 29 June 2016

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources

Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (Revised)

9:00 am

Photo of Seán KyneSeán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The inland fisheries budget is comprised of €27 million. It provides a grant to Inland Fisheries Ireland, which is responsible for the conservation, management and regulation of Ireland's inland fisheries resource.

The inland fisheries programme includes an allocation of just under €15 million towards the staff cost of Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission. The Loughs Agency is a North-South body and is co-funded on a 50:50 basis by my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland. Also included in the programme is €12 million for non-pay current capital expenditure by the two agencies.

There are a number of programmes. The eel management plan has caused concern in the past. The latest scientific advice is that the status of the eel remains critical and that all production and-or escapement of silver eels should be reduced or kept to as close to zero as possible. There is no change in the perception of the status of the stock as being critically endangered.

There is also a salmon management regime. As part of the IFI's budget, money has been earmarked for salmon management initiatives such as river habitat improvement and fish stock rehabilitation.

We are carrying out a comprehensive review of the IFI legislation, including the consolidation of the 13 Inland Fisheries Acts that date back to 1959.

In terms of challenges facing my Department, one challenge is tackling invasive species. In this instance the National Parks and Wildlife Service is the lead agency and not Inland Fisheries Ireland but it has a role in co-operating with the National Parks and Wildlife Service in that regard.

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