asked the Minister for Local Government the steps the Government have taken to comply with the Stockholm recommendation for an international convention to include representative samples of all ecosystems which have scientific value of international significance and in particular which contain genetic resources which it is important to conserve as well as threatened animal and plant species and their habitats.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environment Policies.
83.
It has not been possible to identify the recommendation to which the Deputy's question relates.
As the Deputy may be aware a special environment programme is now being prepared by the UN following the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. I would expect that the recommendations for international action made at the conference—and they were many—will be the subject of initiatives under that programme as may be appropriate. Any initiatives of that kind that may be of concern to my Department will be considered in due course.
84.
asked the Minister for Local Government if the Government will review its policies on the environment before the next UN conference on this subject; if it is proposed to contribute to an environmental fund or financial institution to deal with special problems of the human environment; and, if so, the amount of the contribution.
Environmental policy is under continuous review. In regard to the question of a contribution to the UN Environment Fund I would refer to information given by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on 13 November, 1973, in reply to questions by the Deputy in the matter.
The one thing missing in that reply is information on the size of the contribution this country might make.
I suggest the Deputy looks up the reply given to him by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on 13th November.
The Minister would have it in his brief.
I probably have but it is in the Official Report anyway.
The Minister has a staff to do the work for him. I have to do it myself.
The Deputy does it pretty well.