Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Oct 1998

Vol. 494 No. 4

Written Answers. - Commercial Whaling.

John Gormley

Question:

373 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands whether her Department has been in contact with the relevant statutory authorities in those nations where commercial whaling remains lawful with a view to addressing these matters in view of the ongoing environmental threats to the world whale population from sources such as climate change, ozone depletion, marine pollution and industrial fisheries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18360/98]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

374 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on the continuing high numbers of whales being killed by commercial whaling operations based in countries where this practice has still not been outlawed; the policies, if any, her Department is currently pursuing to address the world-wide crisis in whale conservation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18361/98]

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

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 373 agus Uimh. 374 le chéile.

The International Whaling Commission is the international forum for the control and regulation of whaling and is representative of all shades of international opinion on this subject. Ireland as a member of this commission has played a particularly important role in the IWC in seeking consensus among all member countries on proposals put forward for discussion by Ireland at the IWC meeting in Monaco in October 1997. These proposals were put forward in the context of a situation whereby the number of whales taken has increased from 383 whales in 1992 to 1,043 whales in 1997 and the figure is expected to increase again this year. The proposals seek to address this deteriorating situation by ensuring less whales are killed and that any whaling that does take place is closely regulated.

The Irish proposals were also discussed at the annual meeting of the IWC in Oman in May of this year. The general view of all countries participating was that the process of dialogue and discussion initiated by the Irish compromise proposals was worth pursuing and all countries would participate in the process of discussion if required. In particular, there was strong support for the proposals from the middle ground countries as a basis for the resolution of the ongoing conflict within the IWC in relation to commercial whaling. These countries, including Ireland, consider that compromise formed the best basis for ensuring the continuation of a strong and effect IWC which is crucial to enable threats to the whale species from environmental change and exploitation to be adequately addressed now and in the future. Ireland, through the IWC, will continue to facilitate and seek agreement on any proposals which will reduce the number of whales killed and to ensure that any whaling which does take place will be strictly regulated.