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

The Inland Fisheries Bill 2017 will be before the House this week. I hope this important legislation will be passed without undue delay in the Dáil to ensure Inland Fisheries Ireland will have proper powers of prosecution. It has not been brought to my attention that costs will arise from a backlog of cases. Inland Fisheries Ireland has not raised any issue in that regard. My officials will engage with the agency to ascertain if there are issues, but I do not believe that is the case. Inland Fisheries Ireland takes routine cases and arising from the cases that were lost, anyone who goes out poaching today, tomorrow or in the coming months will still be liable to prosecution based on the existing law. The new legislation, when enacted, will copperfasten the prosecution rights of Inland Fisheries Ireland.

On the eel fishery, a bid for a hardship scheme is being costed and considered. Given the competing demands for money, the issue is being examined in advance of the 2018 Estimates. The scheme is with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.