Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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193. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason risk assessments for only two invasive freshwater fish species (chub and common carp) out of four listed in the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011) have been conducted by the National Biodiversity Data Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55544/25]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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The contract for the detailed risk assessment work undertaken in 2014 was with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) co-partnered delivery of the work.

At the time, 42 of the species listed on the Third Schedule to the 2011 Regulations (SI 477/2011) were for risk assessment as they were known to be traded species (including Chub and Carp). For an additional 11 Third Schedule species, including Roach and Dace, an assessment of the extent of trade of those species was also conducted. It was found that Roach and Dace did not appear to be traded in Ireland, except for vacuum-packed Roach sold as frozen dead bait for angling.

As Roach and Dace did not appear to be traded species, they were not taken forward for detailed risk assessment (NAPRA Ireland).

Inland Fisheries Ireland undertook the risk assessments for the aquatic species (including the fish) and the NBDC did the terrestrial species. All drafted risk assessments were reviewed by external experts and were made available for public consultation including in-person consultation events. This website was established as a platform to share information about the work being done: Non-native Species Risk Assessment for Ireland (www.nonnativespecies.ie).

Further details relating to risk assessments for invasive alien species in Ireland are available on the website: www.invasives.ie.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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194. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the National Parks and Wildlife Service continues to support the removal of invasive pike from the Owenriff system that straddles two SACs near Oughterard, County Galway in an effort to restore the ecosystem to its natural state, in order for Ireland to be in compliance with Article 6.2 of the EU Habitats Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55545/25]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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The Owenriff lies between two special areas of conservation: Lough Corrib SAC (Site Code: 000297) which includes salmon, brook lamprey, river lamprey and sea lamprey in its qualifying interests, and Connemara Bog Complex SAC (Site Code: 002034) which also includes salmon in its qualifying interests.

Inland Fisheries Ireland are the competent authority for fin fish species under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. This agency is under the aegis of the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment and, as such I am not in a position to comment on the status of pike in Ireland.

NPWS are not currently undertaking any work to remove pike from the Owenriff system.