Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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121. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his officials in the Inland Fisheries Division issue Section 14 authorisations under the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 for stocking/restocking of fish in Special Areas of Conservation without appropriate assessment screenings being completed, as required under S.I. No. 477/2011 - European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42184/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department issues authorisations to applicants seeking approval under Section 14 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 to carry out a range of different functions which may include the stocking or restocking of fish in rivers and lakes either for scientific purposes or to improve the fishery.

Each application received by the Department for such authorisation is forwarded to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) for their advice on the proposed works. Having considered the scientific advice given by IFI related to each individual application received, my Department may seek additional information from the applicant including the submission of an Appropriate Assessment screening, if it is deemed necessary. It is only when all relevant paperwork is received and reviewed that any such Section 14 authorisations are issued.

The Department does not issue Section 14 authorisations to any applicant in Special Areas of Conservation without the receipt of an Appropriate Assessment as required under S.I. No. 477/2011 - European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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122. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment since the Pike Conservation Bye-Law No. 809 (2006) was signed into law, legitimate pike culling by the Western Regional Fisheries Board, Inland Fisheries Ireland and riparian anglers has continued unabated around Lough Corrib SAC, if he wants to further vindicate this hypocritical policy of simultaneously conserving and culling the same invasive species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42185/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 is being examined as part of an extensive work programme on Bye-Laws that are in existence for over 10 years along with their continued application. As part of this review process, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) appointed external environmental consultants in June 2024 to prepare an Appropriate Assessment in relation to this specific bye-law. This Assessment has been evaluated by IFI’s Environmental Assessment Panel and will be put forward for determination in due course.

Upon completion of this review, I will be in a position to consider any action in respect of this bye-law.

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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123. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to outline, given that the proposed Western Lakes Management Plan for the rehabilitation of Lough Corrib SAC as a salmonid fishery has been in the pipeline for over two years with no sign of it being finalised, the reason there is so much inertia and procrastination regarding this prescient plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42186/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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 Inland Fisheries Ireland (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.

Following a long public consultation process, this Plan was advanced through the required Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment processes. My officials have been advised by IFI that it is intended to shortly bring the Plan to the IFI Board for its consideration. Following IFI Board approval, the Plan would subsequently be submitted to my Department.