Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2023
45. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the validation protocols his Department has in place to ensure the validity of figures produced by fish counters under the control of Inland Fisheries Ireland, as reported in its annual consolidated fish counter summary report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20241/23]
View answer52. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the fish counts for 2022, in tabular form; and the number of counters that did not provide continuous reports, their geographical location and the duration. [20594/23]
View answer53. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on Inland Fisheries Ireland's national fish counter programme and the methods used for data collection; how the data is being collected; if it is available publicly; how different species are distinguished from one another; and the methods for verification. [20595/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 52 and 53 together.
Fish counters are one of a range of indices used by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to contribute to the scientific and management assessments of salmon stocks carried out each year.
Details of data from counters, the verification of that data and where counters are located, based on maximising the use of technology and optimising geographic distribution in the management of salmon stocks, are operational matters for IFI in which neither I nor my department have any role.
IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie.
