Wildlife Protection

Thursday, 22 January 2026

Questions (281)

Pádraig Rice

Question:

281. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 343 of 13 January 2025, if his Department is aware that salmon and smolts are not surviving downstream migration; the discussions that have taken place between his Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland with regard to this issue; if he has concerns on whether this arrangement is compliant with EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5225/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

No discussions have taken place between Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and my Department in relation to the issues raised by the Deputy. The issues are day-to-day operational matters for IFI in which neither I nor my Department have any operational function.

I am advised by IFI that barriers to fish migration, including hydroelectric dams, are recognised as a significant pressure on salmon and other migratory species. IFI engage with ESB’s Sustainable Rivers Team in relation to fish passage works, operational protocols and monitoring, including programmes for smolt migration.

IFI are aware that ESB, under their Sustainability Rivers programme, are actively investigating fish passage constraints at each of their facilities with a view to maximising survival and spawner escapement. These measures are necessary to address overarching objectives in relation to EU Water Framework, Habitats Directives and Water Action Plan 2024.