Written Answers Nos. 200-220
201. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the projected additional power needs for data centres in 2026; if any recent analysis or report has been prepared for him, or within his Department, on the energy needs of data centres in Ireland in 2025 and projected for the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72342/25]
View answerAs the transmission system operator for Ireland, EirGrid is responsible for the operation and planning of the electricity transmission system. To achieve this, EirGrid must balance supply and demand now and forecast how to do so in the future. EirGrid’s All-Island Resource Adequacy Assessment looks at the balance between electricity demand and supply in Ireland for the next 10 years, which includes a ten-year demand forecast.
In EirGrid’s most recent published assessment, the All-Island Resource Adequacy Assessment 2025-2034, published in May 2025, the peak demand from the ramp-up of contracted data centres and new technology loads in 2025 is expected to be around 13% higher compared to the previous year, 2024. The same assessment indicates that peak demand from contracted data centres and new technology loads in 2026 is expected to be around 12% higher in 2026 compared to 2025. Over the next five years, i.e. from 2025 to 2030, peak demand from the ramp-up of contracted data centres and new technology loads is expected to grow by a cumulative 33%.
Ireland has attracted the best data centre and tech companies in the world. This is a really important relationship, and the Government continues to work with the sector towards a secure and decarbonised energy future. Data centres are central to Ireland’s economic and digital future as they are a key part of our value proposition for foreign direct investment and the associated employment and are central to Ireland’s economic and digital future.
204. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if Irish retail energy prices have fallen slower here than elsewhere in the EU; the measures he will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72375/25]
View answer205. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware that Irish retail energy prices have fallen slower here than elsewhere in the EU; the work he has undertaken to discern the reasons for this; the measures he will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72376/25]
View answer206. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware that the gap between wholesale and retail energy prices in Europe is widening; the work he has undertaken to discern the reasons for this; the measures he will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72377/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 204 to 206, inclusive, together.
Regulation of retail energy markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) since the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, and subsequent legislation. The CRU is an independent regulator, accountable to the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister. However, officials from my Department engage with the CRU on an ongoing basis to track developments in the retail and wholesale energy markets.
The latest data from Eurostat shows that, in nominal terms, Ireland ranked fifth for electricity prices and eighth for household gas prices among European countries in the first half of 2025. When adjusting for purchasing power parity, Ireland is mid-table in terms of energy affordability with the twelfth highest electricity and gas prices among European countries.
The CRU published a report on retail energy markets in September 2023 in relation to competition and supplier pricing in the energy market. The report was in response to a request by the then Minister to examine supplier hedging practices and pricing strategies in the Irish energy market. Based on a review of supplier prices and wholesale market costs, the CRU considered that retail prices are broadly continuing to reflect underlying cost drivers, such as wholesale gas and electricity prices, but with a lag period due to supplier hedging strategies.
The CRU also published a report comparing household electricity and gas prices between Ireland and other European countries in 2024. This report outlined that hedging strategies employed by energy suppliers lessened the impact of price increases for households but resulted in elevated retail prices when compared to other European countries.
Under the Programme for Government 2025, we have committed to commissioning an independent review into the speed and level of pass through from wholesale prices to retail prices, with an additional assessment of the overall price dynamics and a focus on the competitiveness of the Irish economy. I have written to the CRU to commence work on this review and my officials have held initial discussions with the regulator in relation to progressing this commitment.
My Department has also established a cross-Government National Energy Affordability Taskforce to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses, while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability.
The taskforce's first report set out measures for consideration as part of the Budget 2026 process. This report has been published on Gov.ie, in advance of further analysis and the publication of the Energy Affordability Action Plan in 2026.
207. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his views on whether it will be helpful for the energy regulator to provide the arrears data on a monthly basis as has been recommended by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72378/25]
View answer208. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he sought updated arrears data from the regulator in advance of the Budget; and if not, the reason he did not seek this data and if he would make; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72379/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) regularly publishes market monitoring data, including the estimated annual bills for households; the number of households in payment arrears on their energy bills; the number of disconnections; and the number of customers switching energy supplier. Arrears data is generally published by the CRU on a monthly basis, though it is acknowledged that there was a delay in the publication of the data in July, August and September of this year. As arrears data operates with a two-month time lag due to the way suppliers report these figures to the CRU and the need to validate the data, the latest published arrears figures are for September 2025.
The data show that there are currently 297,313 customers in electricity arrears. This is a 3.4% decrease from the August figure of 307,862. For those in arrears more than 90 days, 187,307 electricity customers were in arrears in September 2025, a slight decrease of 0.7% from August 2025 (188,618).
In relation to gas, 179,576 customers were in arrears in September 2025, a 3.8% decrease from 186,594 households in August. Regarding customers in arrears over 90 days, this stood at 153,658 in September, a decrease of 0.5% from August 2025.
The CRU is currently reviewing its market monitoring framework through which this data is collected and reported upon. The review aims to provide more granular information to gain a better understanding of the numbers of customers who may be in more distress and in need of support with their debt.
The Deputy may wish to engage directly with the CRU in relation to the matters raised. The CRU provides a dedicated email address, oireachtas@cru.ie, for Oireachtas members which enables them to raise questions on general energy regulatory matters.
209. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if the National Energy Affordability Taskforce has completed modelling on projected long-term electricity and gas arrears over the next year and over the next five years; if the modelling will be published; and the way in which this modelling will inform Government policy. [72381/25]
View answerThe National Energy Affordability Taskforce was established in June 2025 to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses. The first report of the taskforce was published last month. This report analysed recent trends in energy costs and related matters, including arrears, and set out a range of options for consideration as part of the Budget 2026 process. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), as a member of the taskforce, fed into the report and also presented data at a taskforce meeting in relation to prices, arrears and details of CRU customer protection measures. Minutes of the taskforce meetings are available at: www.gov.ie
The CRU and officials from my Department monitor arrears levels on an ongoing basis, as a key indicator in their tracking of retail energy markets. There are many variables, including those related to energy costs and the general health of the economy, which directly influence arrears levels and would make long-term arrears level forecasting particularly challenging.
The CRU is currently reviewing its market monitoring framework through which this data is collected and reported upon. The review aims to provide more granular information to gain a better understanding of the numbers of customers who may be in energy distress and in need of support with their debt. This analysis will inform the work of the taskforce going forward, which will include the development of targeted measures to assist households most vulnerable to energy cost pressures.
210. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will publish an updated year-by-year trajectory to 2030 for renewable electricity generation, by onshore wind, offshore wind and solar PV capacity; the contingency measures he will introduce to stay on track to meet the 80% renewable electricity target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72382/25]
View answerThis Question was answered under Dáil Question number 287 of 11 December 2025 and the position remains the same.
The Programme for Government 2025 has reaffirmed Ireland’s targets of 80% of electricity demand to be met by renewable energy sources. Achieving this target not only depends on additional renewable electricity generation but also on deployment of electricity storage which plays a critical role in enabling higher levels of variable wind and solar on the system, supporting flexibility.
The updated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) sets out the policies to be implemented to achieve our energy and climate targets and contains year-by-year trajectory to 2030 for each renewable electricity generation. The updated NECP is available on the following link: assets.gov.ie/static/documents/irelands-integrated-national-energy-and-climate-plan-2021-2030.pdf
Two cross-Government taskforces, the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce (ARET) for onshore renewables and the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce (OWDT), continue to develop effective policies designed to deliver an accelerated and increased level of renewable generation capacity and related infrastructure, including strengthening the electricity grid and increasing electricity storage.
Ireland has a number of support schemes in place to increase the development of renewable electricity. The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is pivotal to the achievement of Ireland’s 2030 target. RESS consists of a series of competitive auctions, five onshore and two offshore to date, in which successful applicants are offered a two-way support arrangement for a period of approximately 15 years. The Programme for Government committed that RESS auctions will take place annually, which provide a consistent pathway for the continued deployment of renewable electricity.
The revised National Planning Framework includes regional renewable electricity capacity allocations. The inclusion of the allocations will facilitate the accelerated roll-out and delivery of onshore wind and solar development.
Government remains committed to the development of 5 GW of offshore wind capacity with projects in construction by 2030 and energised as soon as feasible thereafter.
211. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the analysis which has been done regarding the combined impact of the RHO and PR6 from January 2025; the amount by which he expects average bills will rise; the measures he will take to mitigate the impact to households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72383/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses, and commits to bringing forward additional measures to address these costs. My Department has established a cross-Government Energy Affordability Taskforce to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses, while delivering key renewables commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. The taskforce has recently published an interim report, which sets out measures for consideration as part of the Budget 2026 process, and in advance of publication of the Energy Affordability Action Plan in 2026.
Ireland is committed to reaching a legally binding target of climate neutrality by no later than 2050, and a cut of 51% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. As Ireland imports most of its fossil fuels, our heating sector is a significant contributor to Ireland’s high energy import dependency and carbon emissions, and introduction of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) is a key objective for me, as Minister, to address these challenges.
Given the potential impact the RHO could have on end consumers, energy affordability and the impact on household energy bills were key considerations in developing the scheme. My Department has carried out extensive analysis and stakeholder engagement activities, including with energy suppliers, to ensure final decisions taken in relation to the scheme are evidence-based and supportive of its successful introduction. A number of scheme parameters have been designed to allow flexibility to obligated parties in meeting their obligations, which will in turn reduce the overall burden on the end consumer. Detail in relation to each phase of analysis, including the full assessment carried out on potential obligation rates, and resulting impact on end consumers is available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/renewable-heat-obligation/
Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market and implementation of the PR6 process and its outcomes is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The CRU is an independent regulator and, in relation to the outcome of the price review strategy and associated issues, the Deputy may wish to engage with them directly. However, the Deputy should note the significant equity investment that the Government is making in the System Operators. EirGrid is to receive an investment of €2 billion and ESB an investment of €1.5 billion. This will strengthen their balance sheets and allow them to finance their investments under PR6 at the lowest possible interest rates which will minimise the ultimate cost to consumers of these essential investments.
212. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his views regarding energy cloud; if he has considered including the use of surplus energy as part of the Government's retrofit programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72384/25]
View answer220. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total volume of renewable electricity that was dispatched down or curtailed in each of the past five years; the estimated financial value of this wasted energy; and the actions being taken to ensure this surplus is redirected for productive social use, particularly for households in fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72531/25]
View answer221. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department plans to introduce mandatory obligations on system operators, suppliers or aggregators to capture and utilise surplus renewable electricity for social benefit; if not, the rationale for this; and whether he accepts that the continued waste of clean energy during an energy poverty crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72532/25]
View answer222. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the full extent of engagement between his Department, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, EirGrid, ESB Networks and a company (details supplied); whether a formal service-level or funding agreement is under consideration; if he will commit to supporting a national rollout of the company's model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72533/25]
View answer224. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department will develop a matched-funding model with corporate energy users, similar to a pilot (details supplied), to scale the redirection of surplus wind power into social housing and low-income private homes nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72535/25]
View answer225. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason more than 300 days after the Programme for Government commitment to use surplus renewable energy to support those in fuel poverty, no national delivery framework has been published; the person or body which holds responsibility for this delay; and when a statutory delivery plan will be brought to Cabinet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72536/25]
View answer226. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the changes to market design or network charging which are being advanced to ensure that surplus renewable electricity is treated first as a social resource for heat and domestic energy, rather than as a by-product absorbed by curtailment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72537/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 212, 220 to 222, inclusive, and 224 to 226, inclusive, together.
Imperfections and dispatch down is a major challenge facing electricity systems, like ours, that are increasingly powered by renewables. This complex issue can only be addressed by taking a systematic and multi-faceted approach requiring investment in grid, storage and demand flexibility.
We are already taking steps to invest in this critical energy infrastructure. For example, PR6 will enable the delivery of over 500 capital network projects, supporting the integration of increasing volumes of renewables and helping to reduce the amount of wasted energy. In July, the Government committed to investing €3.5 billion of NDP funding in EirGrid and ESB Networks in order to ensure that the PR6 infrastructure programme can be delivered. Legislation providing the legal mechanism necessary for the investment of €1.5 billion of this funding into ESBN has now passed all stages and was signed into law by the President last month. Further legislation in relation to the investment in Eirgrid will be progressed next year.
Last year, my Department published the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland which supported the procurement of 500 MW of demand flexibility products by ESBN and 500 MW of long duration electricity storage by EirGrid to meet specific network needs. Work is already underway to ensure the timely delivery of both.
In June, EirGrid established the Renewable Dispatch Down Working Group. This group is actively working with renewable industry representatives to identify additional actions that could improve levels of ‘dispatch down’.
Demand flexibility can also help to support our transition to a renewables-led energy system. The National Energy Demand Strategy aims to make 20% to 30% of electricity demand flexible by 2030. A key aspect of this strategy is preparing households and businesses to maximise their use of renewables.
The National Energy Affordability Taskforce was established by my Department to identify and assess measures to enhance energy affordability for households and businesses. The first report of the taskforce was published last month with an Energy Affordability Action Plan to be prepared next year. The taskforce will progress the Programme for Government commitment raised by the Deputy and the action plan will incorporate measures to further address 'dispatch down'.
Officials from my Department and the SEAI have met representatives from Energy Cloud on several occasions, and will continue to engage widely to support innovative mechanisms for benefitting households in energy poverty as part of the taskforce work programme.
213. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025; the measures it contains to enhance Ireland's storm preparedness; when he expects it to be read at second stage in Dail Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72424/25]
View answerThe Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025 is being progressed by my Department as part of a wider programme of work to strengthen the resilience of Ireland’s electricity network in the context of climate change and increasingly severe storm events. A central objective of the Bill is to support enhanced storm preparedness through improved management of the interaction between forestry and the electricity network. Local communities cannot be expected to endure major storm impacts through the loss of power caused by trees falling on the network. In this context, the Bill and associated policy measures are underpinned by key strands of work outlined below.
Firstly, work is underway on the development of an enduring electricity corridor design. This is being informed by an international review of best practice in forestry corridor management, forestry design standards, and structured stakeholder engagement.
Secondly, the Bill will provide for electricity corridors to be placed on a statutory footing. This will safeguard electricity corridors in all new forestry development and will support the retrospective creation of corridors in existing forestry, using a risk-based approach delivered through a phased, multi-year programme.
Thirdly, an annual corridor clearance programme has been established by ESB Networks. Detailed surveys of overhead line corridors have already provided a strong evidence base on windblow risk. This information will be used to prioritise an annual, multi-year corridor clearance programme, targeted at those locations presenting the highest risk to customer resilience from forestry-related outages.
The overarching objective is to ensure that overhead electricity networks and forestry can co-exist in a manner that delivers a secure and reliable electricity supply.
The Government approved the Heads of this Bill in July and work on advancing the legislation continues as a matter of priority with a view to publication at the earliest opportunity. Once approved for publication, arrangements will be made for second stage and its passage through the Oireachtas.
214. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide further details on the updated scientific advice, which he received in November 2025, showing that Lough Corrib SAC salmon stocks will not have a sustainable surplus available for harvest in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72488/25]
View answerThe scientific catch advice on salmon fisheries for the 2026 season is provided by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS). The TEGOS Report is available on Inland Fisheries Ireland’s website at www.fisheriesireland.ie/publications.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have advised that the stock assessment and associated catch advice given for the Corrib is primarily based on the fish counter at the Galway Weir and uses the most recent five-year period of data (i.e. 2021-2025). The counter is a partial counter so the raw count data is doubled. Ranched salmon passing through the counter are removed from the estimates of the run as the stock assessment and catch advice is based on wild salmon. Harvest of wild salmon below the counter are added to the counter run to get a full estimate of returns of salmon to the river. Essentially the average of the five years of the stock estimate is used to forecast the number of adults that will return to the river for the upcoming season (i.e. 2026).
Using five-years of data ensures that a single very good or bad year doesn’t over or under-estimate the forecast. It also generally reflects the life cycle period of salmon. The forecasted number of adults that return is then compared to the conservation limit for the river (i.e. minimum number of returning fish a river requires to ensure its stock remains healthy) and any returns above this are considered surplus to the health of the stock and thus available for sustainable harvest.
A level of certainty is required that the conservation limit will be achieved at the surplus quota advised to account for the risks in the catch advice. The standard basis for the stock assessment and associated catch advice provides for a high probability (i.e. 75% chance) that the conservation limit will be met by the forecasted returns at the quota set. IFI have decided that more certainty is warranted (i.e. 85% probability that the conservation limit will be met at the quota advised) over the base scientific advice. This reduces the quota that would be otherwise advised.
At the 85% probability level, no quota for sustainable harvest is available and as such catch and release-only fishing is advised for this stock in 2026. This better aligns with North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation advice that stock exploitation should not solely be managed to the standard conservation limits themselves but should also have management targets above this to build in an extra level of precaution. These precautions are deemed necessary in the context of the uncertain future trajectory of our salmon stocks in general which have continued to progressively decline in Ireland in recent decades. Such an approach is also considered necessary to uphold the long-term term viability of the stock in the context of the many threats and pressures this species continues to be subject to.
215. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department will continue to validate the presence of invasive/non-native fish such as pike, roach and carp in the Corrib Catchment through conservation bye-laws considering his comments on 4 December 2025 regarding significant coarse fisheries within the catchment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72489/25]
View answerInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have advised that coarse fish and pike have been present in the Lough Corrib catchment for many years. IFI regularly monitor fish populations in several waterbodies in the Lough Corrib Catchment to assess their composition, abundance, age structure and ecological status. Lough Corrib, along with six other large freshwater lakes in the west of Ireland are currently being managed preferentially as recreational salmonid fisheries and the information gathered through IFI surveys is used as an ecological indicator and to inform fishery management decisions. Coarse fish and pike stocks are managed at some locations.
The conservation bye-laws referred to in the question, which currently underpin the protection and management of coarse fish in Ireland, are currently under review. A public consultation process has recently closed and I look forward to the review process concluding in due course.
216. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if the proposed Western Lakes Management Plan (WLMP) facilitates further promotion of coarse angling on Lough Corrib SAC and its catchment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72490/25]
View answerI have been advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland that the promotion of angling is outside the proposed Western Lakes Management Plan. While the plan includes management options for all fish species that are present, it is not an angling promotion plan. Anglers will, however, play an important role as stakeholders in the implementation and success of the plan.
217. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department will be instigating any legislative or policy changes as a result of the public consultation that ended recently regarding the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law (No. 809) 2006 and the Conservation and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse Fish Bye-Law (No. 806) 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72492/25]
View answerA review process is underway in relation to the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law (No. 809) 2006 and the Conservation and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse Fish Bye-Law (No. 806) 2006.
A public consultation process, to inform the review, was completed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in November. The 214 submissions received are being analysed and IFI intends to publish copies of these submissions on its website in early January.
I look forward to the review process concluding in due course. I will consider the advice and recommendations brought forward by IFI before deciding whether legislative or policy changes are required.
218. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of departmental officials that have held the post of principal officer of the Inland Fisheries Division since 1 January 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72495/25]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the number of officials in my Department at principal officer level who have held the post with responsibility for Inland Fisheries since 1 January 2015 is three.
219. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason the Suir River in the Waterford fishery district will remain open for salmon angling in 2026 on a ‘catch and release’ basis considering that there is a known mortality with releasing fish alive after handling as per peer reviewed literature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72496/25]
View answerThe conservation limit (CL), applied by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS), to establish the status of individual stocks is the “maximum sustainable yield” (MSY) (also known as the stock level that maximises the long-term average surplus) as defined and used by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO).
The CL is essentially the minimum number of returning salmon a river requires to ensure its stock remains healthy. In the absence of an advised surplus on a river, ‘Catch and Release only’ options are proposed for rivers meeting between 65% -100% of their CL for 2026 in line with scientific advice.
The harvesting of salmon is only permitted in stocks in rivers or associated estuaries which are above their CL, so that any harvest quota set will ensure that a stock is fished sustainably without impacting the viability of that stock.
The River Suir is currently below its CL and falls into the 65% -100% bracket and therefore it is proposed that it will be Catch and Release only for the 2026 season. The management recommendation, following the TEGOS advice for the last number of years on the River Suir, is for a catch and release regime. This is because there is not a surplus available for harvest.
Ireland manages its salmon populations on a river-by-river basis based on robust conservation-focused scientific advice. This is based on scientific stock assessments and associated sustainable catch advice provided by the independent TEGOS. Our salmon management regime follows international best practice as advised by the NASCO and ICES.
Estimates of direct catch and release caused-mortalities in Atlantic salmon vary between individual studies, with values ranging from as low as 3% mortality to as high as 40% mortality. Numerous interacting factors can influence the reported mortality rate including gear/angling technique (e.g. barbless or barbed hook, fly or lure, play time, air-exposure time) and life-stage (grilse, multi-sea winter, kelt) with higher water temperature consistently emerges as a major factor controlling mortality probability.
To date, the lethal and sub-lethal effects of catch and release angling have not directly been accounted for in the Irish salmon stock assessment and catch advice process. However, it is important to note that the current catch advice provided by TEGOS gives a measure of protection to particularly vulnerable river stocks (i.e. those meeting 65% of their conservation limit) by advising that no recreational fisheries should operate and thus such stocks are fully protected from any potential negative effects of catch and release as outlined above when the scientific thresholds are adhered to. In general, facilitating catch and release-only fishing on stocks somewhat below their CL, generates valuable catch data that can be used for stock assessment purposes which otherwise may not be available while also providing a socio-economic benefit.
The proposed salmon fisheries management measures for the 2026 season are currently available for Public Consultation. The Public Consultation process, conducted by my Department, is open for 30 days so as to allow stakeholder who have a vested interest review and submit comments during this period.
