Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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112.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the review by his Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland of 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; when the review was initiated; the terms of reference of the review; the timeline for the completion and publication of the review; if he has received any interim reports in the meantime, and the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33347/24]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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113.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of his engagement with Inland Fisheries Ireland with regard to the long-term management plan for the great western lakes (March 2023) in relation to the high-level objectives set out in the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33348/24]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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114.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the funding and resources allocated for the implementation of the long-term management plan for the great western lakes (March 2023); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33349/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 113 and 114 together.

As the Deputy is aware, 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 extensive work programme. Any regulatory change that may be considered for SAC-designated waters in the Great Western Lakes will be done in the context of the implementation of the long-term management plan for our Western Lakes.

Following the publication of the Programme for Government and to provide for the most robust, modern, comprehensive and sustainable management of SAC-designated waters, I requested IFI, the Agency with statutory responsibility for the protection, conservation and development of the inland fisheries resource to prepare a plan for the long-term management of our Western Lakes.

The plan is of strategic national importance and, in order to ensure compliance with relevant environmental directives, it was necessary to bring it through the various stages of the Strategic Environmental Assessment process. Furthermore, as all seven of the Western Lakes are designated Natura 2000 sites, it was also necessary to bring the plan through the appropriate assessment process, to ensure compliance with articles 6(3) and 6(4) of the European Habitats Directive.

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. The Plan will soon be brought to the Board of IFI for final agreement and then submitted to my Department.

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