Inland Fisheries

Wednesday, 19 June 2024

Questions (9)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

9. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason there is a deliberate campaign by Inland Fisheries Ireland officers preventing anglers from removing dace, an invasive coarse fish, from the Shannon and Mulkear rivers (part of the Lower River Shannon SAC), given that dace are classed as highly invasive in Ireland under the European Communities - Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations 2011 (S. I. No. 477 of 2011) and their protection is contrary to Ireland’s legal obligations under the EU Habitats Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26390/24]

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Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

Fisheries protection operations on specific water catchments are a matter for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and neither I nor my Department have any function. IFI officers carry out their duties in accordance with relevant EU and national legislation, including regulations.

IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries in relation to operational matters can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie