David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of zoos and aquariums. Some eight institutions in Ireland are involved in the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Fota Wildlife Park in my own area is a hugely important resource. It had more than 62,000 visitors last year. It serves very important conservational and educational purposes. Some 18,600 students visited in 2019. I want to support the proposal for an injection of capital funding. On top of that, there are more than 60 licensed zoos and aquariums in Ireland. As I said this morning, they cannot just switch off. They have to feed and look after the animals. They do a good job.

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