Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 5

Written Answers. - International Whaling Commission.

John Perry

Question:

15 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands further to a Parliamentary Question No. 3 of 23 October 1997 regarding Ireland's proposal to the International Whaling Commission, her views on the remarks of the former Chairman of the IWC, Dr. Bridgewater (details attached) that this would probably add approximately 50 whales to the existing worldwide catch; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2784/98]

I am unable to comment specifically on the views attributed to the former chairman of the International Whaling Commission, IWC, that Ireland's proposals to the IWC would add approximately 50 whales to the existing worldwide catch. However, the Deputy will be aware from replies by me to previous questions on this topic, that the existing worldwide catch has increased from 383 whales in 1992 to 1,043 in 1997. The increase in the take proposed by Norway for 1998 alone would bring the total estimate for 1998 to some 1,200 whales, adding considerably more to the annual worldwide catch than the figure of 50 referred to in this question. The Irish proposals seek to address the continued uncontrolled rise in the total annual catch and I am confident that the proposals put forward by Ireland to the IWC will, if adopted, reduce the number of whales killed.

Top
Share