Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not question the local knowledge of the Deputy or the fishermen. I have been approached by several local Deputies on the matter. There are issues the Deputy has raised about the science or the counters with which we must deal. However, the public consultation process has closed. I presume strong submissions were made on behalf of the anglers to whom the Deputy has referred on the points he has raised. Such submissions will be considered. The River Feale is reaching between 50% and 100% of its conservation limit and it has been proposed that there be catch and release in 2019. I do not know what submissions were made and will not try to influence the process. While I take on board the points made by the Deputy, the views of IFI and the scientific group must also be considered. I do not know what will happen in the context of the regulations for 2019 or what submissions were made by local anglers and public representatives, but I have only been in the Department for approximately six to eight weeks.

6 o’clock

In Galway, all the River Clare angling associations came together to form a group called Cáirde na Chláir to examine all the issues and come up with solutions with the IFI. We need to do that. I will have no problem in early January sitting down with all concerned to have a chat about the matter. It is important that there be consultation. The IFI's role is to protect and conserve fish stocks.

The Deputy asked what the IFI has done about restocking. I will find that out for him.

See this speech in context