Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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149. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the inland fisheries division within his Department contracted a private sector company (details supplied) to conduct appropriate assessment screenings under the EU Habitats Directive on the 2022 Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Regulations, given that Inland Fisheries Ireland is the responsible statutory body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8229/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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While the Regulations referred to are drafted in the Department, supporting technical and scientific inputs are provided via Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) as statutory advisers to me as Minister and the Inland Fisheries Division of the Department.

It is established practice in respect of such regulations that part of this technical input is for IFI to procure an independent appropriate assessment screening. IFI, and not the Inland Fisheries Division of the Department, engaged the company referred to by the Deputy for this purpose.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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150. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he and the inland fisheries division within his Department support the phased introduction of wels catfish (Silurus glanis) into an area (details supplied) to create an unique angling tourism product in the west of Ireland, such as happened in Spain on the Ebro river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8230/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland that Wels Catfish (Silurus glanis) are a non-native / non naturalised species in Ireland and potentially invasive as is the experience throughout their range internationally.

Their introduction would represent a potential threat to native and naturalised biodiversity.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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151. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he and his Department support the conservation of roach in Lettercraffroe Lough under the Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8231/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Bye-Law 806 of 2006 referred to in the Question relates to measures concerning the catching and retaining of non-salmonid species (including roach). The Bye-Law is in force since 2006 on a National basis.

Management of any fish species in a particular fishery is an operational matter for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in which neither I nor my Department have any function

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie