Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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179. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his officials in the Inland Fisheries division have immediate plans to reconstitute the Western Regional Fisheries Board to enable more effective local management of Ireland’s world famous salmonid fisheries in County Galway, in line with Ireland’s legal obligations under the EU Habitats and Water Framework Directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15061/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) was statutorily established, under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, as the national authority for the protection, conservation, development and promotion of the inland fisheries resource. Establishment was based on an amalgamation of the central Fisheries Board and seven Regional Boards as well as a number of fisheries co-operatives - 17 bodies in all.

There are no plans to reconstitute any of the former entities involved.

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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180. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he and his Department support the conservation of invasive perch in Lough Inagh under the Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006, to the detriment of the marginalised native Arctic char population and other native salmonids (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15063/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 referred to by the Deputy relates to measures concerning the catching and retaining of all coarse species including perch. The Bye-Law is in force for the last 17 years on a National basis. As recently advised by my officials at a meeting of the Angling Consultative Council of Ireland, a review of Bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their application will be commenced shortly. It is intended that Bye-law 806 of 2006 will be reviewed early in that process.

The management of any 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

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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181. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he and his Department support the conservation of invasive pike in Connemara SACs under the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006, to the detriment of native salmonids, particularly Atlantic salmon and brown trout (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15064/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 referred to by the Deputy has been in place for some 17 years. As recently advised by my officials at a meeting of the Angling Consultative Council of Ireland, a review of Bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their application, will be commenced shortly. It is intended that Bye-law 809 will be reviewed early in that process.

However, to provide for the most robust, modern, comprehensive and sustainable management of SAC designated waters, I requested Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to prepare and submit to me a comprehensive draft management plan for all waters within the Great Western Lakes.

This Plan aims to address some of the many factors that impact on the ecological well being and the status of native fish stocks in the catchments of the Great Western Lakes. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have previously submitted a draft Management Plan to me and I have written to IFI to confirm my support for the draft plan.

Any legislative change that may be considered for SAC-designated waters will be done in the context of this plan.