Under an order of the House items Nos. 3 to 6 will be brought to a conclusion at 10.30 p.m. if not previously concluded.
Private Members' Business. - International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling: Motion.
I move:
That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, which was concluded in Washington on the 2nd December, 1946.
The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling is designed to provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry. Adherence by Ireland to this convention is recommended to support conservation measures for whales, many species of which are believed to be seriously threatened. The approval of the Dáil is necessary before Ireland can adhere to the convention, as a charge on public funds is involved.
The International Whaling Commission, composed of one representative from each contracting Government, are responsible for the administration of the convention. Their annual budget is financed by contributions from contracting Governments, the scale of which is approved at the commission's annual meeting in July. Ireland's contribution for the next financial year — 1 August 1983 to 31 July 1984 — is not therefore known, but our contribution for the year ending 31 July 1983 would have been approximately IR£8,000.
The schedule to the convention, which may be amended by the International Whaling Commission, prescribes certain measures governing the conduct of whaling. Measures at present in force are (1) prescribed open and closed seasons for the taking of exploitable whale species; (2) set the maximum catches of whales which may be taken in any one season; (3) fix size limits above and below which certain species of whales may not be killed; (4) prohibit the capture and killing of suckling calves, lactating females and females accompanied by calves; (5) provide for the complete protection of specified whale species, and (6) require the compilation of catch reports and other statistical and biological data. The Whale Fisheries Act, 1937, and an Order made under that Act on 23 July 1982 enables Ireland to implement the provisions of the convention.
As Ireland is not a whaling nation and has demonstrated, by its active participation in other international conservation conventions and activities, its concern for the conservation of wildlife at international level, our role at meetings of the IWC will primarily be a conservation one based on scientific evidence. Recent accessions to the convention by major whaling nations have tended to swing the balance of voting strength of the commission in favour of whaling interests. Participation by Ireland at future meetings of the commission will help to restore the balance between the conservation and whaling interests.
I now move that the terms of this convention be approved.
We support the Minister in moving this motion. For the sake of the record, perhaps the Minister will tell the House why we delayed from 1946 until July 1982 in making this very bold move.
The fact that we had no great interest in whales around our own coast was a major factor in causing a certain degree of delay in bringing this convention before the House. Deputy Collins has been in this House longer than I. Coming from a coastal constituency, I have to say that I have not had many representations from my own constituency, and I am sure in his time in the Dáil, Deputy Collins has found a similar response or lack of it from his constituency.
In all seriousness I must say that in international affairs it is important that Ireland should not be involved just in international conventions where we have a particular axe to grind. To some degree we have a role to play as mediators, and we are fulfiling our international obligations in acceding to this convention. I should also add that international representations at a very high level have been made to us to take this step. We are doing the right thing in acceding to the convention.
The Minister will agree that there was a very forward-thinking Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Department in July 1982.
I know it was on 10 June 1982 that the Government authorised the moving of this motion, but because of elections in the meantime it was not reached.
Question put and agreed to.