Fisheries Protection

Wednesday, 18 March 2026

Ceisteanna (128, 148, 149)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

128. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the action his Department is taking to legislatively protect invasive/non-native bream (Abramis brama) stocks in Lough Mask under the Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse Fish Bye-law (No. 806) 2006, considering the expansion of bream culling operations on the lake by Inland Fisheries Ireland this calendar year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20229/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

148. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his departmental officials continue to legislatively conserve invasive/non-native roach (Rutilus rutilus) under the Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse Fish Bye-law (No. 806) 2006 in Lough Melvin SAC considering their continued population growth as referenced in an Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) fish survey report published on 12 February 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20716/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

149. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his departmental officials will continue to legislatively conserve invasive/non-native pike (Esox lucius) under the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law (No. 809) 2006 in Aughrusbeg Lough SAC, Connemara, County Galway considering their recent anthropogenic introduction as referenced in an Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) fish survey report published on 12 February 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20717/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 128, 148 and 149 together.

The Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 are currently under review. A public consultation process, to inform the review, was completed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in late 2025, the results of which will be presented to the Department in due course. I will consider recommendations brought forward by IFI before deciding whether any legislative or policy changes are required.

Question No. 129 answered with Question No. 75.