Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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229. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the numbers of seals in Irish waters; her views that seal population numbers may be posing a threat to other species numbers such as wild salmon; if the matter is receiving attention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7515/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, 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 and Ireland is obliged to monitor their populations and report to the European Commission on their conservation status. A standardised monitoring programme has been in place for both species since 2009. The most recent report on their conservation status was submitted to the European Commission in June 2013 and is available on the website .

The current national minimum population estimate for Grey Seal, derived from survey data gathered in 2009-2012, is 7,284-9,365 animals. There is some evidence of a modest level of population growth in this species over the past 10 years. Overall, however, numbers in Ireland remain low compared with the UK.

Comprehensive nationwide surveys for the Harbour Seal have been undertaken on two occasions - in 2003 and 2011-2012 - in order to provide minimum population estimates for the country as a whole and to update information on the national distribution of the species. The 2011-2012 data produced a national minimum estimate of 3,489 Harbour Seals. While this is slightly higher than the 2003 estimate, variability in breeding success between sites and between years does not allow for a robust population trend to be determined at this stage.

Seals have a broad diet which varies depending on fish species availability. Studies of the interactions between seals and salmon are ongoing at Inland Fisheries Ireland. The outcomes of this research, together with 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, will require careful consideration. All of these studies will continue to inform policy in relation to seal protection.