Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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46. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on species categorisation policy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28452/24]

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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47. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on species categorisation policy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28453/24]

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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48. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on species categorisation policy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28454/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 to 48, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy is aware, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) the national authority for the protection, conservation and development of the inland fisheries resource 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 will be examined as part of this extensive work programme.

To provide for the most robust, modern, comprehensive and sustainable management of SAC designated waters, I had requested Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to prepare and submit to me a comprehensive draft management plan for all waters within the Great Western Lakes including the Corrib. 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. 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. Any legislative change that may be considered for SAC-designated waters, will be done in the context of this plan.

As indicated by the special themed session at the recent North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) conference the threat posed to native Atlantic salmon by the invasive pink salmon is significant. Inland Fisheries Ireland is closely monitoring the occurrence of pink salmon in Ireland's rivers. My Department’s policy and that of Inland Fisheries Ireland is that pink salmon is an invasive alien species. Officials from the Environmental Protection Division within my Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) are continuing to consider the position regarding the regulation of pink salmon in this jurisdiction.