Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 4

Written Answers. - Seal Welfare.

Enda Kenny

Question:

312 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if, further to Parliamentary Questions No. 113 of 16 December 1998, No. 392 of 27 January 1999 and No. 68 of 4 February 1999, she will clarify her Department's position and responsibility for injured and distressed seals; if she will accept her Department's function in this matter in view of the replies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4249/99]

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

Seals are a protected species under the Wildlife Act, 1976, and as such, cannot be hunted, killed or injured except under licence by me as Minister. This legal protection is necessary to secure the conservation of the seal species in Ireland. The Deputy will be aware that, as Minister, my primary responsibility relates to wildlife conservation and that I have no function in regard to animal welfare.