Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 March 2014
7. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support the Irish Seal Sanctuary and protect wildlife in captivity by assisting it in the retiring and rehoming of seals currently being used in circuses. [10555/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Seal Sanctuary is of the view that life at a circus is not suitable for a marine mammal and is seeking support to rehome seals in circuses.
What are the Minister's views on that and what assistance can he provide?
I was not sure the circus issue would arise. I do not have a strong view on this, but I will think about it now that the Deputy has raised it. I understood the Deputy was asking about the assistance we are giving the Irish Seal Sanctuary from a funding point of view.
The Irish Seal Sanctuary has received funding in the past from the Department of the order of €10,000 in each of the years from 2007 to 2011, amounting to a total of €50,000. The Irish Seal Sanctuary did not submit an application for funding in 2012 from the ex gratia funding available for animal welfare organisations. We have significantly increased that funding by approximately 50% in the last two years. I would like to be of assistance to the Irish Seal Sanctuary, if I can be, but it must write to me and explain exactly what it needs.
The issue raised by the Deputy of whether seals should be circus animals is a separate matter. Clearly, I am anxious to be helpful in terms of the functioning of the Irish Seal Sanctuary and the role it plays for our seal population from a welfare point of view, including with funding. However, it must apply, as other organisations do, for ex gratia payments or assistance, or at least talk to me if there is an issue on which I can be helpful. I will certainly try to be helpful.
I do not know why the Minister did not expect the circuses to be raised. While there are two separate issues, the question was about the specific issue of assisting seals to be retired and rehomed from circus facilities. This practice has already been ceased by Fossetts Circus and Duffy's Circus has been approached by members of the Irish Seal Sanctuary with a view to having the circus work with them to get seals out of circuses and retired and rehomed.
I accept the Minister's statement that the Irish Seal Sanctuary has not asked him for assistance. He said its representatives should apply to him and he would meet them. If that is the case, I am glad to hear it and I am sure they will take that step.
The reality is that a seal in a circus, a marine athlete held in confinement in a completely unnatural environment, is wrong. I respect the fact that the Minister has brought forward animal welfare legislation, but it is not enough. However, the Minister said moneys might be available and that he will work with the sanctuary.
There is another question, which I tried to put on the agenda with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Deenihan. It is entirely inappropriate that the Arts Council funds circuses which use wildlife. My question on this issue has not been dealt with by that Minister in any format. This question was moved to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, but somebody must be accountable for public moneys being used to promote a cruel activity.
It is probably no secret that I am not a fan of animals in circuses, but that does not mean I will outlaw it. This is an animal welfare issue that the Deputy has raised. Of course, I will meet with representatives of the Irish Seal Sanctuary and we can be helpful to them in terms of funding through ex gratia payments, as we are with many other animal welfare organisations. We spend almost €2 million per year on animal welfare organisations. It is not for funding for the organisations but is essentially a top-up fund through ex gratia payments to support them in their activities. This year we have prioritised horse welfare for obvious reasons, and the Deputy will be familiar with those. This is an area that I will happily be helpful on if that is possible. I will also happily meet the Deputy with the Irish Seal Sanctuary, if she wishes.
I am sorry I did not specifically refer to circuses in my response. I should have because it was mentioned in the Deputy's question. However, I will certainly follow up on the matter in more detail if the Deputy wishes.
I thank the Minister.
