Mr. Barry Fox:

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis an gcoiste ar an ócáid seo and for the opportunity to appear before the committee today to discuss the Comptroller and Auditor General's Special Report 118 and the financial statements for 2023.

We are pleased to discuss our work, the challenges we have faced, and the new opportunities ahead, as Inland Fisheries Ireland looks to the future with confidence. I am the deputy chief executive of IFI, serving in this role on an interim basis. The recruitment process for a chief executive is currently under way through the Public Appointments Service. I am joined by supporting witnesses, Ms Suzanne Campion, head of finance and corporate services; Dr. Milton Matthews, acting head of operations; Dr. Fiona Kelly, head of research, policy and risk; and Mr. Michael Cusack, field services manager.

I acknowledge at the outset the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report, which highlighted a number of governance and control weaknesses within the organisation, the regularity of certain transactions and value-for-money issues. Inland Fisheries Ireland fully accepts the findings of this report, and we recognise the importance of addressing these shortcomings comprehensively and transparently.

In February 2023, under section 20(5) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, the then Minister, Eamon Ryan, removed the IFI board on a no-fault basis, following a series of resignations that had left it unable to function effectively. The Minister subsequently appointed Mr. Seamus Neely and Mr. Tom Barry under section 18 of the Act to perform the functions of IFI during the period in which a new board was being appointed. Their professionalism, independence and applied expertise significantly strengthened accountability, accelerated the pace of reform and stabilised organisational governance. During their term, a comprehensive independent governance review was commissioned. A key development in progressing governance reform was the appointment of a new board of Inland Fisheries Ireland in January 2024. This board brings substantial expertise in governance, environmental management, finance and public administration. Its oversight, strategic direction and commitment to the highest standards of public sector governance, along with extremely hard-working and dedicated staff, have been central to driving organisational renewal.

The governance review, completed by Ernst & Young, provided a detailed examination of governance structures, organisational culture and operational processes, and presented a clear blueprint for reform. The executive has acted swiftly and decisively on its recommendations, with robust oversight provided by the new board.

IFI has published its governance assurance framework, which demonstrates the strengthened internal controls, clarified governance roles and responsibilities, improved risk management and compliance frameworks, and enhanced oversight across the organisation. Updated procedures, revised governance documentation and clearer reporting lines are now firmly in place, supporting robust, transparent and accountable decision-making.

Inland Fisheries Ireland safeguards one of the State's most valuable natural assets: the network of rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal ecosystems that support fish populations, biodiversity and healthy aquatic communities. As the national agency with statutory responsibility for the protection, development and management of these resources, we operate within a comprehensive legislative framework.

The organisation continues to deliver a high-quality public service in fulfilling its statutory mandate. IFI has statutory responsibility for Ireland's 74,000 km of rivers and streams and 128,000 ha of lakes and exercises patrol jurisdiction along the coastline out to 12 nautical miles from the baselines. The scale and geographical breadth of our remit is extensive. IFI's dedicated staff work professionally and diligently to protect, conserve and manage Ireland's freshwater species and their habitats in an increasingly unpredictable and rapidly changing environmental landscape.

It is important to note that while IFI is a high-performing organisation, our ability to fully realise our ambitions has been constrained for many years by limited financial and human resources and updating of our statutory powers.

IFI is pleased to lead the National Barrier Mitigation Programme, NBMP, 2024–2027, funded by the Department of housing and the Department of the environment. A total of €100 million has been approved to remove or mitigate river barriers affecting species such as Atlantic salmon, European eel and lamprey. The programme aims to address 257 barriers over its lifetime, with planning and environmental consents central to delivery. The NBMP is addressing a key commitment in the Government's Water Action Plan 2024 and aligns with the EU water framework directive, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 and the emerging nature restoration regulation. IFI will invest €14 million in the first 103 projects nationwide, with agreements now being issued.

The withdrawal of prosecution cases underscored the need for consistent adherence to governance, oversight and stronger internal checks. It also highlighted the requirement for clearly defined authority structures, properly recorded decision-making and stronger governance documentation. The organisation took decisive action to resolve this issue. I can provide assurance to the committee that these processes are now in place.

In relation to Aasleagh Lodge and cottages, IFI has consistently sought to identify and pursue solutions that maximise the return to the taxpayer from this unique State asset. We are satisfied that the board was kept fully informed of all expenditure associated with the complex. A board resolution has now been agreed to proceed with the sale of Aasleagh cottages. In line with this decision and following the required work to split the folio and provide separate services for the cottages, we expect the disposal process to be completed by the end of 2026. Concurrently, IFI intends to upgrade and repurpose Aasleagh Lodge to deliver enhanced public value. The proposed development includes the establishment of an international research hub for the national salmonid index catchment on the River Erriff, the provision of office accommodation and the creation of a training and education centre for IFI.

Aquatic environments are increasingly threatened by pollution, nutrient enrichment, biodiversity loss, climate change and invasive species. The spread of invasives remains a serious national concern, and without stronger legislation, adequate resources and co-ordinated enforcement, the long-term ecological and economic impacts will be significant. IFI has first-hand experience of this challenge through its long-term management of Lagarosiphon major on Lough Corrib. At the same time, IFI is actively restoring freshwater habitats by reconnecting rivers, improving spawning streams, removing migration barriers and restoring natural channel processes to build ecosystem resilience. Yet, despite these efforts, key native species continue to decline. The European eel is now critically endangered and wild salmon returns have fallen from 1.76 million in 1975 to a provisional 153,460 in 2025, a catastrophic collapse within one generation. These trends highlight the urgency of IFI's restoration and protection work and the need for strengthened cross-government action.

Looking ahead, our new statement of strategy for the period 2026 to 2030 sets a clear direction for the organisation and reflects our development into an agile, outward-looking and evidence-based fisheries environmental agency. We are operating in a period of significant ecological pressure. Climate impacts are accelerating, water quality is declining in many catchments and native fish species are increasingly vulnerable. These challenges reinforce the need for us to adapt quickly, strengthen our environmental leadership role and adopt more integrated and technology-enabled approaches across our remit.

Our team will address the committee’s questions, and we will share with members any written information they request thereafter. I thank the Chair and the committee for their attention this morning.