Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1997

Vol. 483 No. 6

Written Answers. - Endangered Whales.

Enda Kenny

Question:

340 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the extent of discussions and consultations, if any, both inter-Departmental and public, that she held prior to her decision to introduce new proposals regarding the International Whaling Commission and its attempts to protect and safeguard endangered whales and dolphins; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21332/97]

Enda Kenny

Question:

341 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason Ireland has not called for the implementation of schedule 10 E of the moratorium agreement introduced in 1986 to preserve and protect endangered whale species, that is that a comprehensive assessment be carried out at the effectiveness of the moratorium to date; her views on whether this assessment would be fundamental to any change of policy support in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21333/97]

Enda Kenny

Question:

342 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the assessment and analysis, if any, which has been carried out on the destructive impact of radiological pollution and other forms of pollution on marine life in general and particularly on endangered whale species; the proposals, if any, she has in mind to have international pressure brought to bear to attempt to deal with polluting companies, countries and agents during Ireland's chairmanship of the International Whaling Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21334/97]

Enda Kenny

Question:

343 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the way in which she intends that Ireland will ensure proper monitoring and quota compliance in relation to licensed whaling ships during Ireland's chairmanship of the International Whaling Commission; the way in which she intends that Ireland will propose a comprehensive assessment of trade in whalemeat; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21335/97]

Enda Kenny

Question:

344 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the way in which her proposal that Ireland lead on the creation of a global whale sanctuary can be more effective in the protection and preservation of endangered whale species than the continued implementation of the moratorium on whale killing currently in operation; the recommendations, if any, that Ireland will make to deal with countries not currently complying with the moratorium; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21336/97]

Enda Kenny

Question:

346 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the effectiveness of the sanctuary declared by Ireland to protect and preserve endangered whale species; the facilities, if any, available to her to effectively police the extent of Ireland's declared sanctuary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21338/97]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 340, 341, 342, 343, 344 agus Uimh. 346 le chéile.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 20 and 22 of 27 November 1997.

Under the Whale Fisheries Act, 1937, I, as Minister, have power to control whaling operations in Irish exclusive fishery limits or by Irish ships elsewhere, but there is no demand to carry on whaling in Irish waters. There are no specific facilities to monitor this Act but I am satisfied that any breaches would be brought to attention by fisheries patrols. The sanctuary declaration is also a symbol to the rest of the world that Ireland does not take whales or dolphins and promotes the protection of these animals.

As I have stated in my response to previous questions, the moratorium on commercial whaling is not fully effective as Japan and Norway are taking an increasing number of whales legally under the Convention. Japan and every other member state in the International Whaling

Commission are legally entitled to take as many whales as they themselves decide for scientific research purposes. Norway and the Russian Federation have lodged legal objections to the moratorium and, therefore, are entitled to take whales for commercial purposes in waters other than recognised sanctuaries. The Russian Federation has chosen not to exercise its rights under this objection. Norway takes whales under objection and Ireland has on numerous occasions asked it to desist without success.

The Irish proposals will, if accepted, limit the possible extent of commercial whaling to coastal waters and will greatly reduce the extent of scientific research whaling. These proposals were produced as a result of informal discussions with representatives of other Governments and non-government organisations, generally at IWC meetings. Ireland's Commissioner has given a number of media interviews on the subject. He has also met with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and is available for discussion with any other interested group. A formal briefing session on the proposals was given by the Commissioner to representatives of more than 100 non-government organisations attending the IWC meeting in Monaco. I understand the organisations were most appreciative of the open and transparent manner in which the proposals were put forward and were grateful for the opportunity to comment on them directly. I would remind the Deputy also that the proposals put to the IWC at the recent meeting in Monaco were actually an invitation to start a discussion, rather than a set of fixed texts which could be voted on. I am still open to suggestions for amendments to these proposals and I will support any proposals which achieve the objectives of controlling and limiting whaling.

I do not accept the suggestion that Ireland has not "called for" the implementation for the moratorium. The comprehensive assessment of whale species being carried out by the Scientific Committee of the IWC is likely to show that commercial whaling at sustainable levels will be possible on a number of whale populations. This is one of the reasons why Ireland has brought forward proposals now to limit and control whaling.

I am not aware of the details of assessments of the effects of pollution on endangered whale species but I can confirm that the Scientific Committee of IWC has been asked to ensure that such effects are taken into account in calculating quotas under the revised management scheme. The IWC does not have a function in relation to marine pollution.

Ireland has proposed that the revised management scheme should contain the following provisions in relation to the monitoring of whaling operations including trade:

— international observers on all whaling vessels;

— satellite tracking of whaling vessels;

— DNA samples to be taken from all whales;

— DNA testing of whalemeat in the market; and

— standards for carrying out surveys.