Inland Fisheries

Thursday, 27 March 2025

Questions (151)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

151. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications given that, between 19 November and 18 December 2024, inclusive, his Department ran a public consultation on the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2024 and Conservation Measures for the 2025 Season, but that, less than twenty four hours after the consultation closed these regulations were signed into law on 19 December, whether the consultation was just a box ticking exercise for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14890/25]

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Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

In accordance with section 69(8) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, my predecessor launched a public consultation process which was published in the Irish Independent and on the Gov.ie website on 19 November 2024 regarding the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2024 and the conservation measures to be implemented for the 2025 Season. This process concluded on 18 December 2024, and during this consultation period, submissions were received from fishing organisations, individual stakeholders and members of the general public.

All submissions, many of which received in the earlier part of the thirty day consultation window, were reviewed immediately on receipt by officials within the Department. This review formed a part of the submission forwarded to my predecessor before a decision was made on the legislative regulations to be introduced for the 2025 angling season. The submissions will also be taken into account as part of the development of the Regulations for the 2026 season.

All submissions received have been uploaded to the Department's website and are available to the public for information purposes.