Vol. 443 No. 3
112 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the criteria used in respect of making seals a protected species under the 1976 Wild Life Act; the method of determining the number of grey seals evident off the north-west Mayo coast in the period which was relevant to their being declared a protected species; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Protected status for the seal species is provided for in national, European and international legislation. At national level the seal species is protected under the 1976 Wildlife Act and Dáil Éireann in affording that protection recognised the general status nationally of the species and the degree to which its conservation status was endangered or under threat. As stated in my reply to the Deputy's Question No. 90 on 20 April 1994 — Volume 441 No. 6 columns 1341-1342 — it is unlawful to hunt, capture or kill such species except in accordance with licences or permissions issued under the 1976 Act. I outlined the remedy available to fishermen where seals are causing damage to their nets. Fishermen may apply for permission to kill seals which are causing damage at or to their nets and any such application will receive prompt attention.
