asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that following the recent Hague decision, Iceland has now extended the boundary of her territorial waters to four miles; and, if so, if he proposes introducing proposals for legislation to extend the boundaries of our territorial waters and thus protect our inshore fisheries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Territorial Waters Boundary.
The official text of the Hague decision is not yet available and the position is, accordingly, still as indicated in the reply given to the Deputy on 30th January last. I may add that the decision referred to does not relate to the extent of the territorial seas but to the method of fixing the base line from which the margin of territorial seas is measured.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary urge upon the Department of External Affairs the urgency of obtaining this decision which will be of vital import to Ireland? Apparently the Icelandic Government has been able to obtain the decision and take action on foot of it.
The Department of External Affairs is being reminded from time to time of the desirability of getting the official text of the decision as soon as possible.