Vol. 488 No. 5
9 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she intends to attend the next meeting of the International Whaling Commission to propose and promote Ireland's position in relation to whale conservation. [6726/98]
I do not propose to attend the next meeting of the International Whaling Commission to be held in Oman commencing on 27 April. Ireland will be represented by the Whaling Commissioner for Ireland who is also the current chairman of the International Whaling Commission, and one other official.
This is an important matter. Will the Minister agree that, as almost all cetacean species spend part of their migration in coastal waters, the proposal made by Ireland, if accepted by the International Whaling Commission, will result in significant numbers of extra whales being killed in the exclusive economic zones of various countries? What guarantee is there that Japan which currently catches approximately 400 mink whales per year in the area will not continue to kill whales in the southern oceans sanctuary? Has the Minister or her representative received a communication from South Korea which had a strong whaling tradition, to the effect that it will not resume whaling on a commercial basis if Norway and Japan are allowed to do so? This also applies to countries such as Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Iceland and Russia. There is a substantial illegal trade in whalemeat which is engaged in principally by Japan and Norway. The reports of the International Whaling Commission clearly indicate substantial mismanagement, exploitation of scientific information, false reporting and fraud. In a report on the former Soviet Union the secretary to the commission indicated that the extent to which whaling reports were falsified was staggering. Will the Minister and her representative push for an amendment to Regulation 10E of the international whaling regulations which stipulated that there should be no further catches after the 1985-86 pelagic season and that a comprehensive assessment should be carried out by 1990? Nothing has happened and whales continue to die.
The Deputy will remember that this matter was the subject of lengthy discussion on a previous occasion. We all agree that the number of whales killed should be minimised and that we should consider how this can be achieved and enforced in a practical way. There has been a huge increase in the number of whales being killed. The Government has expressed its views at the International Whaling Commission. We do not agree with killing whales and have declared the seas off our shores a sanctuary; something of which we can be proud. Unfortunately, this view is not shared by countries such as Japan and Norway. There is, therefore, a need to reach consensus. The compromise we have suggested will be considered in Oman on 27 April. I am well aware there is illegal trade. If consensus can be reached, it would strengthen the hand of those who wish to prevent the killing of whales. The document produced by our commissioner suggests an administrative and legal framework for the implementation of our proposal. It is one thing to enact laws but it is another to ensure they are enforced. We need to adopt a practical approach. I have every confidence in our commissioner and the other official who will attend the meeting. The issues facing the International Whaling Commission are serious and did not arise in the past year or two. Our proposal has stimulated debate and discussion which I hope will lead to a practical solution.
(Dublin West): Is the Minister aware that many individuals and groups concerned with the preservation of the whale are dismayed at the position adopted by our representative at the International Whaling Commission? Has she discussed the matter with him? Will she rethink our proposal as many experts are of the view that it could lead to the whale being endangered?
It is the Government's position that there should be a major decrease in the number of whales killed. To satisfy our consciences we could adopt an absolutist stance. If we leave it at that it will not save many whales. We must try to bring others with us in a consensus.
I have received some letters expressing concerns about whaling, although not very many, some of which have been in the form of circulars. I have endeavoured to answer each letter. The Irish position has been clearly explained and I have yet to hear back from any of those people who have shown genuine concern on the issue. Many of those are relieved to hear exactly how the Government, through the commissioner, intends to proceed.
I am sure the Minister does not want to adopt a position whereby we support an increased slaughter of whales. Will our commissioner, with the Minister's support, seek to ensure that this proposal will be given effect in international law? Whaling ships can be tracked by satellite and are readily controllable if the resources are made available. There is no point in having a change in policy which will result in an increased slaughter if it cannot be given effect in international law.
That is the point I made. It is important not to be emotive on this issue and not to refer inaccurately to the "increased slaughter of whales". We are seeking the exact opposite by trying to ensure that countries which do not share our view and slaughter whales will be restricted in doing so. That must be done through a legal and administrative framework. The proposals have been put forward by our commissioner and were outlined by me in the House a few weeks ago. They are the lines on which the discussions will proceed in Oman on 27 April.
