Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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289. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action being taken to eradicate the invasive dace fish in the River Barrow; the amount of money being spent on this eradication scheme; and the success of this scheme to date. [20190/16]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.

I have been informed by IFI that since the first discovery of dace in the tidal waters at Saint Mullins, as far back as 1992, the species had, by 2006, spread over 70km upstream, to near Vicarstown and upstream of the confluence of the Barrow Navigation and the Barrow Line of the Grand Canal. At present, the species is firmly established throughout the river and navigation and there are no practical measures that can be taken to control or eradicate this species where it is already present in abundance. I am also advised that it is established in both the Nore and Suir rivers.

While dace is a valuable angling species for many anglers in certain freshwaters, including the River Barrow, it is acknowledged that the species can prove to be a nuisance to game anglers targeting brown trout and to a lesser extent salmon, and it is an invasive species in Ireland.

The presence of dace in the Barrow system poses an increased risk of spread to interlinked waters and the primary approach of IFI in this regard is to prevent its spread outside of systems where it is already established, such as the Barrow.

There is no eradication scheme in place as the fish is prolific and widespread. There is currently no mechanism available that would enable the removal of the fish from the river without affecting other important species and communities.

Under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations (2011), with regard to dace, a licence is required to breed, reproduce or release or allow or cause to disperse or escape from confinement, or for any person who has in his or her possession for sale, or for the purposes of breeding, reproduction or propagation, or offers or exposes for sale, transportation, distribution, introduction or release.