Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)

The belief that zoos are necessary to preserve rare animals and biodiversity is the only justification for maintaining them. Why would we think it is okay for some animals to suffer to maintain biodiversity? In any case, it is not true because zoos do not lead to that. I have heard the Minister of State's great credentials. I am asking him to be the first Minister of State to look into Dublin Zoo. I have spoken to a number of former workers who are whistleblowers and are very concerned about animal welfare there, as well as other issues like work practices and sexual harassment as well. However, I am especially focusing on animal welfare here.

Take the elephants for example. Dina, who is much-lauded, had her sister split up from her and other offspring taken away despite matriarchy and family being so important to elephants. This is not on. There is also the climate we have in Dublin Zoo. The size of the enclosure, at less than 1 ha, is absolutely cruel and barbaric. There is also an elephant consultant who is a dogfighter. Does the Minister of State think that is okay, in Dublin Zoo?

I have been told that the chimps are obese. They are agoraphobic because they have been locked up for so long. They have no stimulation. They are on a cocktail of medication for depression and schizophrenia. They have had teeth taken out and they have been castrated. There is one orangutan left and the current orangutan had three offspring that she rejected because these are such unnatural conditions for any animal to be in.

I do not have time to go into all the issues, but the NPWS is meant to investigate Dublin Zoo. It is within the Minister of State's brief. The service does not have the necessary independence because it is very close to the management of the zoo. It does not have the zoological expertise on wild animals. I have a report that was done 30 years ago. I am asking the Minister of State to do an independent investigation into Dublin Zoo and these issues.

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