Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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91.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment on what scientific basis or rationale a two-trout bag limit was introduced on the River Clare, County Galway, and what the Minister’s intention is regarding other waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25249/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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This bye-law that I recently made for the conservation of wild brown trout in the Clare River and its tributaries - Conservation of Trout in the Rivers Clare, Abbert, Dalgan, Grange and Sinking Bye-Law No. 1008, 2024 – was done so on evidence-based advice from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). The purpose of this bye-law is to reduce the harvest of adult brown trout migrating from Lough Corrib to their spawning grounds in the feeder streams of the Clare River catchment.

Comprehensive fish population surveys in this catchment in 2019 indicated that juvenile brown trout stocks had declined at a number of reference sites since previous surveys.

Public consultation prior to the enactment of this bye-law indicated support for this important conservation measure from stakeholders, including angling groups, to actively participate in the preservation of their local natural resources.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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92.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he will make progress on the commitment in the Programme for Government regarding designating our western lakes as salmonoid lakes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25250/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department requested that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) prepare a plan for the long-term management of our western lakes to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment.

Following a lengthy public consultation process, this plan was advanced through the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment processes and a series of recommendations will be presented by IFI for my approval soon.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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93.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment whether bye laws No. 806 of 2006 and No. 809 of 2006 under the Fisheries Act 1959 to 2006 are in compliance with the Habitats Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25251/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), in conjunction with my Department, is carrying out a review of relevant inland fisheries bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their continued application. The Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 are being examined as part of this work programme. The review process will consider relevant legal acts of the European Union including the EU Habitats Directive.

IFI has established a specific e-mail 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

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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94.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment why electrofishing is not considered to remove invasive pike from Aughrusbeg Lough, Connemara, County Galway under the management plan being initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25252/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The issues raised by the Deputy regarding the management/removal of any species of fish in a particular fishery including pike from Aughrusbeg Lough, Connemara, County Galway 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.