Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on fishermen's concerns that seals are damaging fish stocks in Area 6A; his further views on the Conservation of Seals (Scotland) Order 2007; the implications for Irish fish stocks of the presence of 350,000 seals off the Scottish coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19712/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Both Irish species of seal, the grey and harbour (or common) seal, are protected under the Wildlife Acts and the EU Habitats Directive. Under Section 42 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (as amended) if seals are found to be causing serious damage to other fauna, to a fishery or to aquaculture installations they may be scared, captured or killed on receipt of a permit issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department.

Issues in relation to fish stocks are more appropriately addressed to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

While the Conservation of Seals (Scotland) Order 2007 is a matter for the Scottish authorities, I understand that it is concerned with the harbour seal and according to the UK Government's Special Committee on Seals report in 2009, major declines have now been documented in that species around Scotland, with declines of up to 50% since 2000 in Orkney, Shetland, the Moray Firth and the Firth of Tay.