Oireachtas News Updates
Analysis by Tom MacSweeney Rebuilding trust is difficult to do, but that is at the core of the detailed report by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Marine Affairs into the operation of Ireland’s sea fisheries protection system. Can…
Ombudsman To Oversee Fisheries Protection Called for In Oireachtas Committee Report
26th May 2026 SFPA
An Oireachtas committee has called for an Ombudsman to be appointed to consider complaints and to interrogate the effectiveness of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). It also calls for an “immediate assessment” to be conducted at the various fishery…
Oireachtas Committee Report Calls For More Resources for ORE Planning and Consenting Authorities
22nd May 2026 Marine Planning
Planning and consenting authorities involved in applications for offshore renewable energy (ORE) projects need to be given better resources, an Oireachtas committee report says. Measures supporting the filling of positions, in particular the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which are…
Best International Practice In Marine Protected Areas on Oireachtas Committee Agenda
18th May 2026 Oireachtas
The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs is due to discuss best international practices in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) at its meeting today (Tues 19). The meeting at 11am in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House, Dublin, will hear…
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy will travel to Wexford today (Friday, May 15) for an off-site meeting to examine the progress at Lady’s Island Lake, Co Wexford. The committee, chaired by Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí, has previously…
Harvesting of wild seaweed is to be discussed by the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs on Tuesday. The meeting at 11am in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House will run two sessions and will hear from: 11am –…
The Executive Chair of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, Paschal Hayes, has retired from his position before the end of his term. In a statement, the SFPA said Mr Hayes is stepping down after almost 45 years of service across…
Salmon conservation is to be discussed by the Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy on Wednesday. The meeting at 12:30pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House, Dublin, will hear from representatives of: Inland Fisheries Ireland Moy Action Group…
Impact of Climate Change On Fish Stocks To Be Discussed By Oireachtas Committee
20th April 2026 Oireachtas
The impact of climate change on fish stocks is to be discussed by the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs on Tuesday. As Afloat has reported, new research on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) suggests the ocean current…
There is limited inspection of large ‘factory’ fishing vessels operating off Ireland, an Oireachtas committee has heard. The issue emerged during a session of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs examining the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). Committee…
Proposed Changes to Navigation Bye-Laws on Shannon, Barrow and Canals To Be Discussed by Oireachtas Committee
14th April 2026 Oireachtas
Proposed changes to River Shannon, Grand and Royal Canal and Barrow Navigation byelaws are due to be discussed today (Tuesday, April 14) by the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The committee will meet twice in Committee Room…
The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs will resume discussions today (Tuesday, April 14) on sea fisheries protection issues with representatives from the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). Committee Cathaoirleach Conor McGuinness said: “The committee first engaged with the…
Inland Fisheries Ireland Criticised For Paying Almost €60,000 For Communications Training
9th April 2026 Oireachtas
Calls have been made on Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to return to the Exchequer almost €60,000 it paid to a communications company before appearing before the Oireachtas accounts committee. As The Irish Times reports, the cost has been described as…
Call For "Deep, Real and Meaningful" Reform of Sea Fisheries Protection Authority
26th March 2026 SFPA
Reform of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) needs to be “deep, real and meaningful”, the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters’ Association (IFPEA) has said. IFPEA chief executive Brendan Byrne said that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on fisheries has a…
The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs plans to resume its discussions on sea fisheries protection issues today, Tuesday, March 24th. The meeting at 11am in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House will hear from representatives from the Irish…
The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs is due to discuss sea fisheries protection issues at its meeting on Tuesday (March 3). It will also discuss the legislative framework for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). The meeting at…
