asked the Minister for External Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to recent reports that the British Government is about to extend the limit of British territorial waters; whether he has had any communication from the British Government with regard to this matter; if so, what communication; whether the Government intend to extend the limit of Irish territorial waters; and, if so, what extension is planned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limit of Territorial Waters.
36.
I have seen the press reports to which the Deputy refers. We are in touch with the British Government but I have nothing further to add on the matter at present.
In answer to the last part of the Deputy's question, our delegation at the Law of the Sea Conference in 1960 supported the Canadian/United States proposal which would have allowed an extension of the territorial seas of up to six miles and of exclusive fishery limits up to 12 miles from the base line. We still favour an international agreement along the lines of that proposal which only failed by one vote.
Would the Minister say whether or not he would be prepared to extend the fishing limits if the British Government were to extend theirs to six miles or 12 miles?
That is another question. We prefer to do it by joint international agreement.
I know what the Minister would prefer but would he say now whether he would follow the British if they were to extend their territorial waters?
We will have to see.