Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2024
127. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason there were glaring inconsistencies in due diligence for the two local by-laws governing salmon conservation in Natura 2000 sites (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44558/24]
View answerIn 2018, IFI launched the IFI Environmental Assessment Process (EAP) which aimed to facilitate fisheries development and conservation projects while ensuring that IFI had due regard for the environment and relevant environmental legislation. This process established the screening mechanisms for the environmental assessment of projects and set out the appropriate IFI procedures to ensure that works were carried out in compliance with the relevant environmental legislation.
Following the roll out of this process, it was decided to apply it to other areas of IFI activity based on a precautionary approach where the advice that IFI gives could be considered to give consent to certain activities. This process was rolled out for advice that IFI gives in respect of bye-law proposals after the establishment of the EAP in 2018. This explains why the Designated Salmonid Waters Bye-Law (No. 964) 2018 which was drafted in 2018 was not assessed and the Bye-law referred to in 2019 was assessed.
IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries in relation to operational matters such as carrying out Appropriate Assessment Screenings where appropriate, can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie.
