asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the estimated number of seals around the Irish coasts; the basis of such estimated figure and if his attention has been drawn to the greatly differing estimates of seal numbers.

Estimates of the populations of seals around the entire coast of Ireland indicate that the numbers do not exceed 1,100 grey seals and 1,500 common seals.

I am aware that these estimates, which are based on surveys by my Department and information supplied by the Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland and the National Trust for Northern Ireland, have been disputed by some fishing interests and I hope to have more detailed surveys carried out in the current year.

How was the estimated number of seals arrived at? Was it arrived at by land, sea, or aerial survey?

It was arrived at by an aerial survey carried out last year. This year it is hoped to have a more detailed ground survey which should give an indication of seals occupying caves.

Is the Minister aware of reports, particularly from western fishermen, that many of the islands on the west coast contain two or three times the estimated total number for the countrywide population of seals and that the estimated number as given by the Department is wrong?

I am so aware. But that is only an opinion and one has to be more careful of opinions as distinct from evidence, particularly opinions generating from west of the Shannon.

Would the Minister expect that this count would be carried out this year?

Yes.

Has the Minister any knowledge of how this aerial survey is carried out?

The survey in 1979 was carried out as an aerial survey by the Department's research staff. We also got an estimate for Northern Ireland and this year the survey will be carried out as a more detailed ground survey.