Vol. 554 No. 5
1480 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government whether provision will be made in the Estimates for 2003 for an organisation (details supplied) in view of the fact that Ireland is the only maritime country in Europe that does not have a facility for rehabilitating abandoned, sick and injured seals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15925/02]
1522 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the meetings the Government has had with the Irish Seal Sanctuary: and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16410/02]
1527 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the Government will fulfil its promise to provide adequate funding for the Irish Seal Sanctuary to enable it to complete the National Seal Sanctuary. [16492/02]
1528 Mr. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the Government will meet commitments given to the Irish Seal Sanctuary (details supplied). [16501/02]
1564 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will provide capital funding to the Irish Seal Sanctuary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16791/02]
1567 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if a commitment was made to provide funding assistance to the National Seal Sanctuary Project; if funding will be given in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16795/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1480, 1522, 1527, 1528, 1564 and 1567 together.
I am aware of the excellent work which has been done by the Irish Seal Sanctuary over the years in rehabilitating small numbers of seals. However, given the limited resources available to my Department for wildlife conservation and protection, grant assistance in this area must realistically be targeted at projects which will maximise conservation prospects. Given the abundant population of seals in Irish waters and that their species is not endangered in conservation terms, I regret that funding of the Irish Seal Sanctuary facility by my Department cannot be justified at this time.
