Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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577. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason the invasive/non-native freshwater fish of pike (esox lucius) and zander (sander lucioperca) were not added to the invasive species list contained within the third schedule of S.I. No. 477/2011 - European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, considering the unequivocal recommendations of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the responsible public authority, in a submission they made to his Department during an interdepartmental consultation on the Draft European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations in September 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44556/24]

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.

Zander is not known to occur in Ireland although the species is considered a potential invader.

The NPWS regularly liaises with IFI on matters relating to aquatic species. While they are not listed invasive alien species, the NPWS will continue to monitor the situation for these two species.