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

I thank Deputy Burke for putting down this Topical Issue matter and for his interest in all things angling in Westmeath, Longford and elsewhere. He has raised matters to do with angling with me on a number of occasions and showcased its importance for County Westmeath and the midlands.

As the Deputy knows, I have given notice of proposals to make a designated salmonid waters by-law and instigated a public consultation where observations on the draft proposals may be expressed at any time during a 21 day period which concluded at 5 p.m. on 25 May 2018. In total, 5,531 submissions were received in this process. A small number were received regarding Lough Gill. More than 16 issues were raised during the process, one of which we have categorised as to include Lough Gill as part of the by-law.

The overall intention behind the proposed draft by-law is to afford additional protection to wild brown trout and its scope is confined to seven distinctive State-owned waters where established stock control measures are already in place as a matter of existing policy. The seven waters are Lough Sheelin in the Limerick fishery district, Lough Conn and Lough Cullin in the Ballina fishery district, Lough Corrib, Lough Mask and Lough Carra in the Galway fishery district and Lough Arrow in the Sligo fishery district. These seven limestone lakes are unique in terms of topography and trout habitat and have been managed as wild brown trout fisheries via established stock management programmes. From that perspective, these waters are especially important.

The proposed by-law would give statutory status to the policy designation of this small number of distinctive waters and would mean that the waters concerned would continue to be managed primarily as brown trout waters.

In December last, I first indicated to officials in the Department my view that the importance of these waters should be reflected by way of statutory designation. Advice and observations were subsequently sought from departmental officials at a meeting on 17 January as regards the prospective legislative processes available in regard to the designation of these waters.

The proposed by-law, as secondary legislation, is intended to focus on existing policy designation on State-owned waters where stock management is in place. My policy initiative was to focus on designating these seven distinctive waters, which are considered singularly important.

The complexity of a broader designation of waters, and any required management measures, will have be considered as a matter of primary legislation. Therefore, I have directed that this matter is to be considered in the context of the major inland fisheries consolidation Bill currently being advanced by the Department. As the Deputy is aware, any primary legislation would be a matter for all parties and Members of the House. I accept the interest and advocacy of Deputy Burke and Councillor Andrew Duncan in including Lough Gill in a particular by-law. This by-law, which has been the subject of a consultation and seen an unprecedented amount of interest compared to other by-laws, has included a number of submissions in favour of including Lough Ennel. We are assessing it and taking legal advice on the draft by-law with a view to enacting it as soon as possible.

On the primary legislation, the consolidation work is ongoing. I understand the strong case put forward by the Deputy for the inclusion of Lough Ennell and for protected status, although I also accept that Lough Ennel's attributes can be promoted irrespective of a designation. Its status as a wild brown trout fishery can be promoted through the local authority and whatever assistance Inland Fisheries Ireland can give the Deputy. I will set up a meeting with officials to further discuss what can be done to Lough Ennell to promote it and angling tourism in the midlands.

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