Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 5

Written Answers. - Marine Conservation.

Tony Gregory

Question:

278 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has met representatives of the Irish Seal Sanctuary to discuss funding for the proposed new marine conservation centre; if so, his views on this request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14340/03]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I met with representatives of the Irish Seal Sanctuary on Tuesday, 20 May 2003 to hear details of their proposals for the establishment of a national marine conservation centre.

During the course of the meeting, I fully commended the Irish Seal Sanctuary in its efforts to establish a dedicated facility to cater for the rescue, care and rehabilitation of seals and other marine mammals. However, I advised that there were no funds directly at the disposal of my Department, under which financial assistance could be made available towards the establishment of a national marine conservation centre.

I drew to the attention of the representatives the terms of the tourism product development scheme in support of which up to €55 million in European Regional Development Fund funding is allocated under the regional operational programmes of the National Development Plan 2000-2006. I emphasised that this scheme is administered separately by Bord Fáilte and that decisions in respect of individual grant applications are made by independent management boards.

In view of the relevant functions of other Departments in this area, I undertook to forward details of the Irish Seal Sanctuary's proposals to the Department of the Environment and Local Government, which has overall responsibility for environmental matters including nature conservation and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources which has responsibility for marine affairs generally.