Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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231. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of fisheries protection officers employed by Inland Fisheries Ireland, on permanent and temporary contracts, for the years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [25598/25]

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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232. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the completion status of his Department's review of relevant inland fisheries by-laws in force for ten years or more and their continued application, in particular the Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse fish By-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the Conservation of Pike By-Law No. 809 of 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25681/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Inland Fisheries Ireland, in conjunction with my Department, is carrying out a review of relevant inland fisheries bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their continued application. The Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 are being examined as part of this work programme, which I expect to be completed later this year.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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233. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the independent review of Inland Fisheries Ireland's implementation of the recommendations of the 2023 governance review will commence, as per the current programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25682/25]

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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234. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for a timetable of the publication of the Western Lakes Management Plan, considering that the plan has been in the pipeline since September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25683/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my response given to Question No. 274 of 29 April 2025 regarding the status of the Great Western Lakes Management Plan. The position is unchanged.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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235. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment whether Ireland's membership of the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC) is consistent with the State policy of conserving non-native/invasive freshwater fish through the Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006, considering EIFAAC's mandate of restoring European inland fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25684/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission's (EIFAAC) mission is to promote the long-term sustainable development, utilisation, conservation, restoration and responsible management of European inland fisheries and to support sustainable economic, social, and recreational activities towards these goals. I see no inconsistency with our general national policy in that regard. Ireland and the EU benefits from membership of EIFAAC through the sharing of knowledge and scientific advice relating to inland fisheries.

Inland Fisheries Ireland, in conjunction with my Department, is carrying out a review of relevant inland fisheries bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their continued application. The Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 are being examined as part of this work programme, which I expect to be completed later this year.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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236. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason Ireland is not participating in the current European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC) project titled "Management/Threat of Aquatic Invasive Species in Europe" as per EIFAAC public notifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25685/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland is an active member of the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC) and is an active participant in many of its projects. As would be the case for other member nations, Ireland does not necessarily participate in all EIFAAC projects but is fully briefed on the progress of and outcomes from those projects.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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237. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment whether his Department has ever given ministerial consent, substitute consent or a licence under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations - S.I. No. 477 of 2011, to Inland Fisheries Ireland that has allowed the dispersal of the invasive freshwater fish dace throughout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25686/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has not given consent nor issued authorisation to Inland Fisheries Ireland for the dispersal of the freshwater fish species, dace, throughout the national river system.

The 'Activities Requiring Consent' (ARC) process for granting Ministerial consents for certain activities, as provided for under the Birds and Natural Habitats Directive (S.I. No. 477 of 2011), is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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238. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment whether there have been funding-budgetary cuts for Inland Fisheries Ireland in 2025 considering that the statutory body operates under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25687/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As per the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) receive Exchequer funding from my Department which contributes towards expenditure incurred by it in the performance of its functions.

The table below sets out the funds which were allocated by my Department this year and in 2024, which show an increase of approximately 4.5% for 2025.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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239. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when his Department will publish a new policy statement for the inland fisheries sector, considering the significant developments and challenges around conservation, ecological and environmental issues over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25688/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 150 of 27 March 2025 in relation to the development of a new policy statement for the inland fisheries sector. The position is unchanged.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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240. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there are any external or independent consultants advising the current Principal Officer of the Inland Fisheries Division on his daily duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25689/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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No external or independent consultants are currently engaged by the Inland Fisheries Division.