Vol. 525 No. 5
142 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has received an application for funding from the Irish seal sanctuary; if she will provide financial assistance having regard to the important work done by the sanctuary in relation to wildlife conservation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25569/00]
151 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the amount of funding provided on an annual basis to the Irish seal sanctuary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25627/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 151 together.
The Deputies will be aware that my primary responsibility under the Wildlife Act, 1976, is to protect seals and other mammals to ensure the conservation of the species as a whole. The care of individual seals is an animal welfare matter for which I have no function under the Wildlife Act, 1976.
The work of the Irish seal sanctuary is primarily of a welfare nature. It involves the rehabilitation of individual seals and, as such, does not come within the remit of my Department. On a number of occasions I have acknowledged the worthwhile nature of the work carried out by the Irish seal sanctuary and recognised the commitment of its members. However, from a conservation point of view, the work does not impact significantly on overall seal numbers.
I met representatives of the Irish seal sanctuary last year at their request to discuss their future plans for the sanctuary and officials from my Department later examined a draft development plan prepared by the sanctuary. The Irish seal sanctuary has made many approaches in the past for aid in running its existing facility at Garristown but the fact remains that the proposed new sanctuary is a rehabilitation facility which caters for a relatively small number of injured seals rather than contributing to the overall conservation of the species which is my concern. Considering the plan has a very strong tourism element and a strong appeal for environmental tourists, I suggested that they seek funding under tourism development budgets.
There are no plans, therefore, by my Department to make provision for the funding of the Irish seal sanctuary.
Question No. 143 taken with Question No. 101.
