Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
354. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his attention has been drawn to research by a group, showing that 7,551 salmon migrated to the Corrib system in 2025; if he will provide details on the way in which this figure was calculated given consideration to factors (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74836/25]
View answer355. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason the normal groups (details supplied), five-year average stock assessment reports, were not adhered to in 2025 to determine whether catch and release, or C&R, on the Corrib system should be recommended or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74837/25]
View answer356. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) for 2025 having not yet been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74838/25]
View answer357. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will change the proposed determination of catch and release or C&R for the Corrib system back to open for harvesting in view of a reply (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74839/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 354 to 357, inclusive, together.
The scientific report provided by the Technical Group on Salmon (TEGOS), in its Status of Irish Salmon Stocks in 2026 with Catch Advice for 2026, has been published at:
www.fisheriesireland.ie/publications
River-by-river assessments are set out in Appendix IV of that report.
No decision has been made yet on measures for the 2026 season. Submissions received following public consultation on the proposals are currently being considered.
Overall, the classification of rivers as open, catch-and-release only, or closed is based on a probability-based scientific assessment of salmon stocks against conservation limits carried out by TEGOS. Stocks are assessed by TEGOS over the most recent five-year period, using an established, science-based methodology that is applied consistently across all salmon rivers. This methodology draws on best available information from a range of sources, including fish counter and rod catch data.
It is acknowledged that, in any given year, operational or environmental factors, such as counter downtime or angling suspensions, can influence data input and the TEGOS framework is designed to take such variability into account by using multiple indicators and by applying standardised assumptions that ensure consistency and comparability across river systems and years. The indicators and assumptions used in the assessment are set out in the general methodology sections, which describe the data sources, modelling approach and assumptions applied nationally. These provisions apply to all rivers.
