Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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421. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on a seal cull, which is badly needed off our coast at the moment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8190/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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There are two species of seals in Irish waters - the Harbour or Common Seal and the more numerous Grey Seal. Both are included in a list of species protected under the EU Habitats Directive. Consequently, Ireland is obliged to monitor and report on their status, including in relation to their population, every six years. The most recent six year report submitted to the European Commission in June 2013 is available on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department at . Management of seal populations will also require careful consideration of recently published studies from Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Marine Institute concerning seal depradation (fish eaten by seals during fisheries operations) and bycatch of seals in set nets. I understand further work is underway to enhance our understanding of this complex area. The assessment of risk from inshore sea fisheries in relation to the Natura 2000 network by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Marine Institute later in 2014 will also need to carefully consider seal-fisheries interactions. All these studies will continue to inform policy in relation to seal protection.

While seals are protected under the Wildlife Acts, licences may be obtained under section 42 of the Wildlife Act to hunt seals where damage is being caused. Licences are issued in response to specific applications and each application is considered on its merits. This redress is available to individual fishermen to control damage to fisheries by seals at particular locations.