Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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264. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he and his officials in the National Parks and Wildlife Service will confirm that pike are an invasive fish species in Lough Corrib special area of conservation as clearly documented by Inland Fisheries Ireland in recent appropriate assessment screenings for stock management conducted under the EU Habitats Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38665/24]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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While my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for legislation and policy around invasive alien species in Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has the statutory responsibility for the protection, development, and management of Ireland’s rivers and streams together with 128,000 lake hectares.

Pike has been present in Ireland for hundreds of years and is considered to be a naturalised species which is widespread across the country. There are no plans at this time to add pike to to the national list of invasive alien species.

However, the NPWS regularly liaises with IFI on matters relating to aquatic species. While it is not a listed invasive alien species, the NPWS will continue to monitor the situation.