asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason for the delay in ratifying the CITES treaty on illegal trade in whales which has already been signed by Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14711/99]
Written Answers. - Wildlife Conservation.
21
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, CITES, has been signed by Ireland but cannot be ratified under current wildlife legislation. I propose to include in the forthcoming Wildlife (Amendment) Bill the necessary provisions to enable the State to formally ratify the convention and I hope to be in a position to publish the Bill shortly. The Deputy will be aware, however, that the convention is already directly implemented in this country under Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97 of 9 December 1996 – on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein – and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 939/97 of 26 May 1997, as amended. The National Parks and Wildlife Division of Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, fulfils the functions of both management and scientific authorities for this country for the purposes of the convention.