Vol. 427 No. 2
70 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will request the European Commission to prepare a proposal for an EC regulation declaring a whale and dolphin sanctuary within the exclusive fisheries limits of all EC member states, thus banning the killing of whales for commercial, scientific and fisheries management purposes in EC waters and to extend the ban to all EC vessels and EC citizens.
71 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if he supports the French proposal at the International Whaling Commission to create a whale sanctuary in the Antartic Ocean; and whether he will initiate a move within the European Community for sea regulation declaring a whale and dolphin sanctuary within the exclusive fisheries limits of all EC member states.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together.
In relation to the French proposal, I would advise that last year, at the 44th annual meeting of the parties to the International Whaling Convention in Glasgow, Ireland supported this proposal and co-sponsored with France and other likeminded countries a resolution to establish a working group with a view to enabling a decision on the Antarctic Sanctuary to be made at the 45th annual meeting to be held in Kyoto, Japan this year.
I would add that the Taoiseach wrote personally to the Prime Minister of France last year supporting the proposal.
