Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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335. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has considered concerns expressed by fishermen regarding the seal population; his views on whether this is a problem; the action he will take to resolve the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16745/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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There are two species of seal in Irish waters - the Harbour or Common Seal and the more numerous Grey Seal. Both are protected under the EU Habitats Directive. Ireland is obliged to monitor their populations and report on their status every six years. The most recent report submitted to the European Commission in June 2013 is available on the website . Management of seal populations will require careful consideration of recently published studies from Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Marine Institute concerning seal depredation (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 sought under section 42 of the Wildlife Act to scare or kill seals where damage is being caused. Licences are issued most usually if a specific seal is known to be a problem in a specific place.