Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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269. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No.73 of 11 June 2014, if he will offer a detailed response to the question that was posed, that is, if he is satisfied that no actions have been taken by Inland Fisheries Ireland or its predecessor organisations over the past 15 years which have been damaging to the conservation status of the freshwater pearl mussel; if he is satisfied that all the actions taken by IFI or its predecessors over the past fifteen years in their management of rivers for fish conservation or angling promotion have been consistent with the State’s duty to conserve the freshwater pearl mussel. [28443/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, all public authorities are obliged to comply with EU legislation, including the Habitats Directive. Broadly speaking, public authorities are directly responsible for ensuring that they are in compliance with the law when undertaking activities that may have an impact on Natura sites. My Department, where necessary, provides guidance and expertise. As the Deputy is also aware, I have no statutory responsibility in relation to Inland Fisheries Ireland, which is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural resources.

As I have outlined previously, close co-operation and active engagement continues between my Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland in regard to the issue referred to by the Deputy. If the Deputy is aware, however, of any specific activities of concern, he may wish to convey such information to my Department, which will seek to follow up appropriately.