Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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246. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his officials in the Inland Fisheries Division issued section 14 authorisations to Inland Fisheries Ireland under the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 (details supplied) for the restocking of invasive pike into Lough Corrib SAC during stock management operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18721/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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No Section 14 authorisation has been issued to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) by officials in my Department for the restocking of pike into Lough Corrib SAC during stock management operations.

My Department issues authorisations to applicants seeking approval under Section 14 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959, which allows them carry out a range of different functions including the stocking or restocking of fish in rivers and lakes either for scientific purposes or for fishery improvements.

Each application received by my Department for such authorisation is forwarded to IFI for their advice on the proposed works. After considering the scientific advice provided for each individual application, the 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 by the Department that a Section 14 authorisation is issued.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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247. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason his officials are procrastinating on publishing the minutes of the Angling Consultative Council of Ireland and Angling Advisory Group meetings held on 06 August and 15 October 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18722/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Angling Advisory Group (AAG) meetings in question took place on 6 August 2024 and 15 October 2024, with some members attending in person and some remotely.

Following any meeting, draft minutes are prepared, circulated for review to all members of the Group and subsequently discussed and proposed for agreement and approval at subsequent AAG meetings. Until formally approved and agreed, the Department is not in a position to publish them. Once the draft minutes of both these meetings are approved, they will be posted on the Department’s website which I expect to occur later this year after the next AAG meeting has taken place.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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248. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment will future policy statements on the inland fisheries sector take cognisance of the documented anthropogenic spread of invasive fish species such as pike, roach, carp etc. throughout the state and their current legislative conservation in Special Areas of Conservation such as Lough Corrib SAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18723/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The development of a new policy statement for the inland fisheries sector is a significant and complex undertaking and will take account of all significant developments and challenges around conservation, ecological and environmental issues over recent years.

The policy statement will also have regard to ongoing initiatives such as the Inland Fisheries Ireland's (IFI) Corporate Planning process for 2026-2030.