asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the Government's policy with regard to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora and the products arising therefrom; whether the Government supports the resolution passed overwhelmingly by the 96 member nations of that convention, which endeavoured to counteract the illegal trafficking of products based on materials such as ivory and rhino horn created from the destruction of elephants and rhinoceroses; whether the Government will ensure that there is a serious effort made by Irish customs officials to stop the illegal importation of endangered species or their products; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such products as turtle soup are readily available in Dublin restaurants, though it is well known that these animals are being taken from the wild; that crocodle skin watch straps and harp seal key rings are on sale in this country; and the action he proposes to take to ensure that the Government introduces a ban on the importation and sale of all such products.
63.
