Vol. 404 No. 4
101 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he has taken diplomatic initiatives to lend weight to the efforts to stop the accelerating destruction of the tropical rainforests; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Government are committed to the protection and preservation of the natural environment in this country and throughout the world. Our approach is to build on and press for development of the work already under way at EC level and in other international fora. As I stated in my reply to the House on 20 July 1989, I consider that an attempt by Ireland to take a specific initiative itself on a matter of this nature could lead to duplication of effort and inter-organisational conflicts.
The Deputy will be aware that the subject of tropical forests was discussed at the European Council in Dublin last June and that a Declaration on the Environment was adopted on that occasion on the initiative of the Irish Presidency. The issue was also discussed at the EC Development Council on 5 November 1990 when the importance of ensuring the effectiveness of the Tropical Forest Action Plan was agreed. Furthermore the EC Commission, together with the FAO and the World Bank, is presently working on a co-operation programme with Brazil which should afford valuable assistance to that country in the management of its tropical rainforests.
