asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state the result of the recent discussions that took place with reference to the extending of Irish territorial waters; if agreement was reached to extend the territorial waters; and if he will make a general statement on this highly important issue.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Extension of Territorial Waters.
No discussions have taken place in recent months with reference to extending Irish territorial waters. If the Deputy is referring to the International Conference on the Law of the Sea which took place last spring in Geneva, he will be aware that the extent of the territorial sea and of the fishery limits was the major matter on which agreement was not reached. Before that conference was concluded, a resolution was adopted requesting the General Assembly of the United Nations to study the advisability of convening a second conference for further consideration of the matters regarding which no agreement was reached. The question of a second conference is now under discussion at the United Nations; it seems probable that it will be held during the coming summer.
I am hopeful that a second conference will achieve agreement on these important issues. As any decision in relation to extended territorial sea or fishery limits must obviously be influenced by what is acceptable internationally, I think it would be unwise to take a firm decision on these matters before the conference concludes.