Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

To take up that point about restoration, conservation and the sensitivity of salmon to global warming and pollution, I believe the Minister announced a consultation on a new conservation plan. It has been ten years since such a plan was drawn up for the country, so it is about time something was done in this regard. I would like an update on that.

We had some discussions last year on by-laws in respect of the western lakes and salmonoid species. Inland Fisheries Ireland has undertaken to draw up a management plan in respect of the western lakes. This may not be the appropriate setting for this. I know the Minister is to come back to discuss fisheries, including inland fisheries, in more detail but the western lakes are at particular risk from invasive species, so I would like to understand the work Inland Fisheries Ireland is undertaking with regard to that management plan. Might we consider by-laws in respect of salmonoid species in general because they may be out of date? Perhaps that work could be included in the conservation or management plan.