Vol. 434 No. 4
100 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to publish the Doyle report on Dublin Zoo; if so, when; the consideration he has given to the report; if he will give his policy in relation to Dublin Zoo; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Doyle report dealing with the future of Dublin Zoo was presented to the Minister for Education who decided against publishing the report pending consideration of substantial issues arising from it.
One issue concerned the allocation of future responsibility for the zoo. The Doyle report in making a recommendation that a Department should have a role in relation to the zoo did not indicate which Department this should be. Having considered this issue the Government recently agreed to transfer responsibility for the zoo from the Department of Education to the Department of Finance. At the same time the Council of Dublin Zoo propose converting to a Private Limited Company and two senior public servants will be nominated by the Minister for Finance to its board when established.
I have since examined the recommendations of the Doyle report and can straight away affirm my agreement with the conclusion that there is a future for Dublin Zoo. I have therefore asked the Office of Public Works to prepare a plan to ensure the future of the zoo having regard to the Doyle report and the following four objectives:
1. to operate to commercial standards so that State subsidies can be minimised
2. to continue the captive breeding of endangered species and the presentation of species to foster an appreciation of nature and global conservation
3. to achieve animal care which meets the highest international standards within appropriate space requirements
4. to contribute to the tourism and recreational potential of Dublin by providing quality visitor facilities and programmes.
