Vol. 501 No. 6
123 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has met with and received a submission from the Irish Seal Sanctuary; the arrangements, if any, he is making for the funding of the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6662/99]
I met the Irish Seal Sanctuary on 16 February when a detailed presentation was made to me on its work and at which I explained the position in relation to funding. As I advised the sanctuary and as I have indicated to the House previously, seals are a protected wildlife species under the terms of the Wildlife Acts which are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. While I have therefore no direct function in relation to the funding of the Irish Seal Sanctuary, I should add that the Marine Institute has ongoing contacts with the Irish Seal Sanctuary and facilitates access to its programmes where appropriate. I will in addition bring the concerns of the sanctuary to the attention of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
