Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Oct 1993

Adjournment Debate. - Dublin Zoo.

Mr. Sargent

In July 1990 the Government established a committee of inquiry to investigate into Dublin Zoo. This committee produced its report, the Doyle report, named after its chairman, Mr. Mick Doyle. Over three years later the Doyle report has still not been released and the Government has continued to support and subsidise the current zoo authorities, who, according to the report, should be made accountable.

The report, a copy of which I have with me, makes very interesting reading. It is stated that it is published by the Stationery Office and is to be purchased through any bookseller or directly from Government Publications Sales Office. However, it is unavailable. Tomorrow week, on 27 October 1993, at a special general meeting the zoo authority is seeking to amend the laws of the society relating to its dissolution and to transfer the society's assets, including the animals, to a new company, the Zoological Society of Ireland Limited, thus I understand, removing itself even further from accountability. In this swift move it has already been committed Government funds. I have heard the sum of £10 million mentioned but I would like to have that figure clarified. I understand the money has been committed by the Minister for Finance without reference to the findings of the Government inquiry or any need to publish those findings.

The zoo authorities, supported by Government neglect, hope to hijack the national zoo, limit its own liability and pursue what I believe to be personal agendas, not in keeping with the zoological society's constitution, under the pretext of limiting members' liability. Under the zoo's current regulations, its dissolution requires a 40 per cent attendance of members and a two-thirds majority vote. This is the best protection afforded to the members. Until such time as the report of the inquiry is published properly and the public and Members of this House are allowed the opportunity to debate it, the zoo authorities should not be allowed any further diminution of their responsibilities. On 27 October the president of the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland and the council will seek to dismantle this protection, transfer authority to a meeting of not fewer than 30 members, compared to 3,000 under the present rules. They further propose to transfer all assets to themselves and their nominees as a new authority, thus disenfranchising all other members and rendering the inquiry into Dublin Zoo — an extensive inquiry where people gave the benefit of their expertise — academic and redundant.

The Taoiseach promised this country an open Government and accountability. In order to fulfil this promise in relation to the Royal Zoological Society, no transfer of assets, dismantling of members' protection or further Government support for the current zoo authorities should be allowed until the Government inquiry into Dublin Zoo is published and released and, most importantly, acted upon by this Government.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Dempsey)

As I stated in a reply to a parliamentary question on this issue last week, the Doyle report dealing with the future of Dublin Zoo was presented to the Minister for Education, who decided against publishing it 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.

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.

I hope the plan will be available early in the new year and that after it is considered by Government the conclusions of the Doyle report and the outline of the plan will be made public. I do not envisage that any further grants will be made available to the zoo until the plan is examined by Government.

On the question of the Zoo Society setting up a new company, this is entirely a matter for them. Their offer of two places on the new company for two senior civil servants was accepted. It provides the opportunity for the State to assess the performance of the new company to ensure that any State investments are in accordance with agreed objectives and to an agreed plan. The move does not preempt the findings of the plan, which will thoroughly assess all aspects of the zoo from animal welfare to organisation and financial performance.

I am aware that there have been criticisms at the delay in reaching final conclusions on the Doyle report. However, now that the decision has been made to transfer responsibility for the zoo to the Department of Finance, there will be no delay in formulating a plan which will clearly indicate what steps need to be taken to guarantee the future of the zoo. The plan will have to address issues such as extra land, future State subsidy and other matters. On the question of extra land, it is too early to say, however, what the plan will show and we should not anticipate its findings.

With regard to financial subsidy, prior to 1985 State support for the zoo was very modest. Given the financial difficulties of the zoo between 1985 and 1992, grants totalling £1,620,000 were made to keep it viable. The money was not wasted. It provided the zoo with the chance to effect changes to improve its financial performance and with the success of the Dino Live exhibition this year the zoo should not need financial support in 1993 to assist its operations. It is nevertheless a fact of life that most zoos in the EC require some subvention, particularly given their important role in conservation and education. The plan will show how the financial and commercial performance of the zoo can be maximised so that such subventions, if any, can be minimised.

I stress that a well run modern zoo has a vital role to play in global conservation. This was confirmed in the Doyle report and the view is supported by the foremost non-governmental conservation organisation in the world, the IUCN, who emphasises the vital role zoos have in captive breeding programmes to ensure the viability of endangered species.