Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We have also responded to the Senator’s colleague, Deputy Higgins, about paid political advertising outside of electoral events. We see this as quite innovative in our electoral reform Bill. Certainly, we will be working with the European Commission around other proposals concerning the online space. This has come out loud and clear in the pre-legislative scrutiny report this committee has sent to us. We are giving consideration to it. Our initiative around online political advertising during electoral events is very progressive. We are taking into account and trying to distil the recommendations that came forward from the committee on that.

Again, I will not comment specifically on the local issue the Senator brought to me. Certainly it was a wonderful event in Waterford, launching the Irish Museum of Time. Great credit is due to Waterford City and County Council, which has done an incredible job on the museum experience across the city and the public realm. The Irish Museum of Time is another timely, should I say, addition to that set of experiences for visitors. It have really contributed to the vibrancy of the city centre in Waterford. We will give consideration to the proposal the Senator brought forward to us.

On the coastline and the population of seals, we have had representations in that regard concerning harbour seals and grey seals. I might ask Mr. Donnelly from the National Parks and Wildlife Service or Ms Nally to come in on that point.