Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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272. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will proceed with the signing into law of the proposed Sligo district–conservation of trout on Lough Arrow (Inc the Unshin river) bye-law considering that the appropriate assessment screening completed on 10 October 2024 for the proposed legislation was not made available to interested stakeholders by Inland Fisheries Ireland during the public consultation phase from 10 December 2024 to 14 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19528/25]

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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273. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will proceed with the signing into law of the proposed Sligo district–conservation of trout on Lough Arrow (Inc the Unshin river) bye-law considering that this legislative push is completely at odds with statements made last year by his predecessor in response to various Parliamentary Questions stating that any regulatory change, which 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 the western lakes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19529/25]

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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274. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the proposed western lakes management plan has been consigned to the dustbin by his Department in favour of a cost-neutral mixed fisheries model, where non-native and invasive freshwater fish species such as pike, roach, carp, dace, and so on, take pre-eminence in special areas of conservation/Natura 2000 sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19530/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 272, 273 and 274 together.

A draft bye-law on the Sligo District Conservation of Trout on Lough Arrow (including the Unshin river) is currently under review by my Department.

The relevant appropriate assessment process was managed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), who have indicated to my Department that guidance on appropriate assessment screening from the Office of the Planning Regulator was followed. This guidance states that – “Although there is no specific requirement for public consultation at screening in national legislation, it is good practice to consider submissions or objections on planning applications that raise concerns regarding the need for appropriate assessment”. As a consequence, IFI would typically await and consider comments received in response to public consultations on plans or projects before publishing screening reports.

The introduction of any bye-law in a SAC designated area in the Great Western Lakes region will be done with due regard to the broader context of the introduction of the Great Western Lakes Management Plan.

My Department have been advised by IFI that it is in the process of bringing a draft Great Western Lakes Management plan to the IFI Board for its consideration. Following IFI Board approval, the plan will then be submitted to my Department.