asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has considered the effect of the recent decision of the International Court of Justice at The Hague concerning the measurement, definition and demarcation of territorial fishing limits; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to have this decision applied to our territorial waters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Territorial Fishing Limits.
The official text of the decision referred to has now been received and is under consideration. I am not in a position at present to make any statement in regard to the second part of the Deputy's question.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider it advisable that action should be taken as soon as possible; that if possible we should join with Iceland in the steps that Iceland has taken to enforce the definition and demarcation of her territorial waters; and thus to safeguard our own fishing industry?
The matter is under consideration and until the decision has been examined I am afraid it is not possible to say any more.
When may I repeat this question?
There is, I understand, to be a consultation between the Department of External Affairs, the Fisheries Section of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Defence on the matter. I cannot say when any such consultation will take place, but I take it that there will be an examination in the Department of External Affairs first of the text of the decision itself, and that after that arrangements will be made for consultation.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary give any indication as to when I may put down the question again?
Whenever the Deputy likes.
Every day.
Very well. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this matter was raised in the British House of Commons yesterday and that there has been an exchange of notes between the Icelandic Government and the British Government in regard to it; and unless we come in at this stage we will probably lose our rights? That is why I am pressing the matter.
I do not think that is so.