Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
99. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if an external investigation into Inland Fisheries Ireland took place over the period 2021 to 2025; if so, when it concluded; the findings of the report; the actions that have taken place as a result of an investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70841/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been a number of external reviews and investigations completed in respect of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) since 2021.
In May 2022, the former Minister appointed Conleth Bradley, Senior Counsel to conduct an independent review of Inland Fisheries Ireland under section 18(3) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010. This review concluded in July 2022, and a copy of the Report was presented to the Minister on 12 July 2022. This report is published on the Department's gov.ie website. (Independent review of the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland).
In February 2023, the former Minister directed the Section 18 Appointees, who were appointed by the Minister to carry out the functions of IFI pending the establishment of a new Board, to conduct a full governance review of IFI. This review, carried out externally by EY, concluded in December 2023 and a copy of the Report was presented to the Minister on 19 December 2023. This report is also published on the Department's gov.ie website. (Inland Fisheries Ireland Governance Review)
Findings and recommendations are set out in both the Senior Counsel and EY reports. All recommendations have been implemented, with the exception of the final EY recommendation relating to the development of a Strategy Statement for IFI. This will be completed with the publication of IFI’s Statement of Strategy 2026-2030 before the end of this year.
The Department processes any protected disclosures received as per its published Protected Disclosures Policy, which is line with the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (as amended). Details are published annually by the Department on gov.ie as per the requirements of the Act. The most recent report was published in March 2025 and includes a breakdown of disclosures received relating to specific aegis bodies, including IFI. The next annual report is due to be published in March 2026. Between 2021 and 2025 (to date), the Department has initiated 7 investigations by independent external investigators into protected disclosures relating to IFI, of which 6 investigations are completed and 1 is in progress. Due to the strict confidentiality obligations under the Act, the Department does not discuss or release details of individual protected disclosures.
In October 2025, I wrote to the Chair of IFI and directed IFI to lead an independent investigation into the fish kill incident on the River Blackwater in August. This investigation is being completed externally by the EU’s Joint Research Committee and is expected to be completed in early 2026.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to carry out an independent review of IFI. While no specific timeframe is attached to this commitment, I have written to the Chair of IFI notifying him of my intention to commence this review once a new Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and has been embedded in the Agency. This review will be carried out externally.
