Vol. 398 No. 8
17 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the number of dolphins being killed on the west coast of Ireland due to the harmful rays coming from fish cages; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have no evidence to suggest that dolphins are at any risk whatsoever from fish cages and activities at fish cages. Should the Deputy wish to make more details available about the alleged difficulties, then I will have them investigated without delay by scientists at my Department.
Is the Minister aware that I have already contacted his Department concerning the death of five dolphins off the west coast, three off the coast of Galway, and that I have put a specific question to his Department as to whether these deaths, having been reported, have been investigated by scientists in the Department of the Marine; and if the staff of the Department have come to a conclusion about whether the death of the dolphins in question was due to the use or misuse of sonar devices?
I am not aware of the correspondence by the Deputy. There are sonar devices called seal scarers used but there is no scientific evidence that these can do any damage. They simply emit signals at random intervals.
Will the Minister communicate to me the conclusion that members of the staff of the Department have come to? Would he not agree that it is a matter of deep distress not only to those involved with the sea but also to the public that there would be such an inordinate number of deaths of these sea mammals at this time?
I would agree with the Deputy that anything that would cause distress or death to dolphins should be remedied immediately. I also undertake to communicate with the Deputy on the question he has raised.
