James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Is it possible to get some indication of how Inland Fisheries Ireland is faring, particularly in the conservation of stocks? In recent conversations I have had it was suggested that in much of western Europe stocks were under pressure. What level of conservation has been achieved by Inland Fisheries Ireland? I appreciate that there are wider factors which are outside its remit, but how are we faring in that regard? Are we seeing even limited successes and beginning to claw back? I know that salmon stocks, in particular, as well as stocks of other species, are under severe pressure. I think some new orders ran throughout the year, extending different limitations to fisheries. There is much work ongoing, but I am concerned that it is all in the wrong direction. I appreciate that there are global factors at play, but how are we doing as a nation, particularly the State agencies tasked with this responsibility?