Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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127. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 16 April 2014, to the effect that responsibility for protecting the freshwater pearl mussel falls within the remit of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, if he is satisfied that all of the actions taken by Inland Fisheries Ireland and/or its predecessor organisations in their management of rivers for fish conservation or angling promotion purposes over the past 15 years have been consistent with the need to conserve the freshwater pearl mussel; if he will confirm that none of the actions taken by the IFI and/or its predecessor organisations over the period had a negative impact on the conservation status of the freshwater pearl mussel for which he is responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20701/14]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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As outlined in reply to Questions Nos 245 of 4 March and 111 of 16 April, responsibility for protecting freshwater pearl mussels is a matter for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and there is on-going liaison with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in the context of their management of River Basin Districts to ensure consistency in the responsibilities of both Agencies. I am advised that the on-going liaison between IFI and NPWS is the most effective operational composition to ensure this consistency in approach. If the Deputy can identify a specific query or issues regarding any of this liaison and/or activity over the time frame he sets out, I would be happy to have inquiries made and to arrange a direct response from IFI.