Vol. 508 No. 4
213 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has received a submission from the Irish Seal Sanctuary requesting grant aid to develop a seven acre coastal site given to it by Fingal County Council; and, if so, her response to that request. [19298/99]
215 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will provide grant assistance to the Irish Seal Sanctuary which, apart from a £5,000 grant from Fingal County Council, has to rely on voluntary contributions to support its work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19304/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 215 together.
I have not received a specific proposal from the organisation concerned requesting grant aid to develop a seven acre coastal site given by Fingal County Council. However, I would refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions No. 308 of 9 Márta 1999, No. 312 of 16 Feabhra 1999, No. 305 of 8 Nollaig 1998 and No. 21 of 7 Bealtaine 1998 regarding funding by my Department for the organisation concerned. My primary responsibility under the Wildlife Act, 1976, is for wildlife conservation and, in the case of seals relates to ensuring the protection and conservation of the species. However, the care of individual seals is an animal welfare matter for which I have no function under the Wildlife Act, 1976.
