Vol. 407 No. 2
16 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself that Ireland is in full compliance with the EC Directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds; if the Office of Public Works has ensured that all the bird species relevent to Ireland in the Directive are properly protected; and whether an adequate number of special protection areas to provide habitate and breeding areas have been provided for the 29 listed species.
I am satisfied that Ireland is complying with the EC Bird Directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds. All birds species relevant to Ireland in the Directive are protected under the Wildlife Act. The Widlife Service of the Office of Public works has an on-going programme of classification of special protection areas and acquisition of habitat and breeding areas for such species. I expect to have a number of special protection areas designated this year to add to the 20 already listed as follows:
Sites Designated for Special Protection under Article 4 of Council Directive No. 79/409 E.E.C.
SPA Site.
1. Puffin Island, Co. Kerry.
2. Saltee Islands, Co. Wexford.
3. Inishkea North, Co. Mayo.
4. Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, Co. Wexford.
5. Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare.
6. North Bull Island, Co. Borough of Dublin.
7. Great and Little Skelligs, Co. Kerry.
8. Blasket Islands, Co. Kerry.
9. Lady's Island Lake, Co. Wexford.
10. Inish and Sgarbheen, Co. Wexford.
11. Lough Gill, Co. Kerry.
12. Horn Head, Co. Donegal.
13. Drumcliff Bay and Lissadell, Co. Sligo.
14. Rockabill Island, Co. Borough of Dublin.
15. Rogerstown Estuary, Co. Borough of Dublin.
16. Baldoyle Bay, Co. Borough of Dublin.
17. Tralee Bay, Co. Kerry.
18. Raven Nature Reserve, Co. Wexford.
19. Ballyteige Burrow Nature Reserve, Co. Wexford.
20. Old Head of Kinsale Refuge for Fauna, Co. Cork.
17 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline his views on whether an order should be made under the Wildlife Act, 1976 to protect all whale and dolphin species, and which would declare Irish waters as an international whale sancturay.
60 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Finance the steps he intends to take through the EC in support of the world wide moratorium on commercial whaling; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 60 together.
Commercial whaling is currently banned by the International Whaling Commission whose next meeting is in Iceland in May where Ireland, in common with many other EC states, will be supporting the continuation of that ban.
