123. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline, given that the proposed Western Lakes Management Plan for the rehabilitation of Lough Corrib SAC as a salmonid fishery has been in the pipeline for over two years with no sign of it being finalised, the reason there is so much inertia and procrastination regarding this prescient plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42186/24]

Following the publication of the Programme for Government and to provide for the most robust, modern, comprehensive and sustainable management of SAC-designated waters, I requested Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the Agency with statutory responsibility for the protection, conservation and development of the inland fisheries resource to prepare a plan for the long-term management of our Western Lakes.

The plan is of strategic national importance and, in order to ensure compliance with relevant environmental directives, it was necessary to bring it through the various stages of the Strategic Environmental Assessment process. Furthermore, as all seven of the Western Lakes are designated Natura 2000 sites, it was also necessary to bring the plan through the appropriate assessment process, to ensure compliance with articles 6(3) and 6(4) of the European Habitats Directive.

Following a long public consultation process, this Plan was advanced through the required Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment processes. My officials have been advised by IFI that it is intended to shortly bring the Plan to the IFI Board for its consideration. Following IFI Board approval, the Plan would subsequently be submitted to my Department.