asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the serious damage being done to fishermen's gear off the Galway coast by foreign trawlers and of the urgent necessity for extending the limits of our territorial waters in order to protect the property of these fishermen; and, if so, if he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Extension of Territorial Waters.
One recent incident of the kind referred to has been reported to my Department and suitable action has been taken. The position in regard to the other matter mentioned is as stated in my reply to a question by Deputy MacBride on 21st instant.
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, and in view of the fact that at least one fisherman's gear was destroyed off the Galway coast by foreign trawlers, does he not think that it should entice the Government to expedite their decision for an extension of our territorial waters?
I am sure the Deputy is aware that the decision given in the Norwegian case is not capable of automatic application elsewhere, that you cannot bring a case to the international court except by mutual agreement, and that it took, in the Norwegian case, a period of 17 years to secure agreement. The Government, in this case, is proceeding along different and more practical lines which, I am sure, will bear good fruit in a short time.
By, and with whom, was there mutual agreement between Iceland and some other country to secure an extension of its territorial waters?
Is the Deputy not aware that the Iceland dispute is still there, and is not yet settled?
I am also aware that its territorial area has been extended.
May I ask the Deputy which régime he would like to see here —the Norwegian or the Icelandic?
Both, or the better of the two.
Is the Deputy aware that they are not the same.
I am asking for the better of the two.