Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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443. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will introduce a by-law aimed at protecting and preserving the wild trout populations in the Annalee, Bunnoe and Laragh Rivers, County Cavan, as requested by a local angling organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31605/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I am advised that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have received a request from local stakeholders for a Bye-law for the rivers referred to by the Deputy. I understand that this request is currently being reviewed in the context of the scientific data held by IFI for the rivers in question to consider if that the proposals are in line with best scientific advice. In addition, a draft national policy on brown trout has recently been prepared by IFI and requests from the stakeholders and any resultant Bye-laws would need to be consistent with the conservation ethos which the draft policy seeks to underpin. While consideration is being given to accommodating the stakeholders' proposals in line with the recommendations of the draft policy, I should advise the Deputy that IFI also advise that the introduction of an comprehensive Bye-law for trout for the Upper Erne might be preferable to putting in place a range of separate Bye-laws for the numerous waters in the area.

Any proposed Bye-laws will also be subject to the required appropriate period of public consultation that will allow all relevant stakeholders to make input to the proposals.