Special Areas of Conservation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 March 2023

Thursday, 9 March 2023

Ceisteanna (174)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

174. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Inland Fisheries Ireland published the 2021 Lough Melvin Water Framework Directive Fish Survey Report on 23 February 2023, which highlighted the first anthropogenic existence of invasive roach in this SAC lake, if he, and his Department support the conservation of invasive roach in Lough Melvin SAC under the current Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12139/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 referred to by the Deputy relates to measures concerning the catching and retaining of all coarse species (including roach). The Bye-Law is in force for the last 17 years on a National basis.

The management of any species in a particular fishery is an operational matter for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in which neither I nor my Department have any function. I would also emphasise that Lough Melvin is a transboundary waterway and the practicalities of management involves frequent IFI collaboration with fisheries authorities in Northern Ireland

Inland Fisheries Ireland (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 [e-mail]