Trevor Sargent
Question:342 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the communication, if any, with the Japanese Government on the issue of illegal whaling. [10951/00]
Written Answers. - Illegal Whaling.
There has been no recent communication from the Japanese government in relation to whaling issues.
The International Whaling Commission is the international forum for the control and regulation of whaling. Both Ireland and Japan are represented at the IWC by whaling commissioners and continuous formal and informal contact takes place between the respective commissioners in relation to whaling issues. Also, the Japanese Government contacts my Department from time to time explaining and seeking support for its position.
The Deputy will be aware of my continuing concern in relation to the number of whales taken by countries , including Japan, who are members of the International Whaling Commission. However, I am advised the whaling carried out by Japan is legal and in accordance with the International Convention on the regulation of Whaling. Article VIII of this convention provides that any member country has the right to take whales for the purposes of scientific research and Japan chooses to exercise its rights under article VIII.
The compromise proposals put forward for discussion by Ireland at the 1997 meeting of the International Whaling Commission providedinter alia for the phasing out of lethal scientific whaling. While member countries have engaged positively in the process of discussion and debate in relation to these compromise proposals put forward by Ireland, the difficulties in achieving consensus within the IWC remain considerable.