asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the manner, frequency and extent of the census of wildlife and, in particular, of endangered species, which is carried out by his Department; and the number of personnel engaged on this work.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Priority in this sector is dictated by known conservation requirements, including recommendations thereon emanting from the Wildlife Advisory Council and the work is undertaken according as resources permit. In the circumstances it would not be practicable to monitor the total number and variety of wildlife species — fauna and flora — which occur in Ireland but protected fauna for which recent population counts have been carried out include the Greenland Whitefronted Goose, the grey seal and the Peregrine Falcon.

Apart from the involvement of wildlife rangers and temporary personnel, the number of departmental staff engaged in wildlife census work is nine but, of course, this work would represent only part of the overall duties of the officers concerned. Certain voluntary bodies also co-operate with my Department in census work.

Does the Minister agree that the matter in which the census was carried out was very haphazard? I gave some information to Deputy Power that the seals were actually counted from spotter planes rather than from the sea or land. Has the Minister any proposals to increase the number of nine personnel in his Department who engage in this work? Has he any proposals to carry out a census of all endangered species?

(Cavan-Monaghan): The various species of wildlife is quite numerous.

What about the endangered species?

(Cavan-Monaghan): The endangered species are also quite numerous.

(Cavan-Monaghan): As far as the endangered species are concerned, the Wildlife Act came into force in 1976 and has been having teething problems since. It would be saying something that I do not believe to pretend that there is adequate personnel to implement the Act in detail. I will have a look at the whole matter raised by the Deputy and, consistent with reasonableness and availability of finance, I will do what I can.

Would the Minister agree that the wildlife rangers recruited some years ago have done very good work at local level, even though they are very thin on the ground, and that now is the time to recruit more of them?

(Cavan-Monaghan): About 50 were appointed over the years and I agree they are doing excellent work.

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