asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have formulated proposals to submit to the International Conference on the Law of the Sea to be held this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Law of the Sea.
15.
The very wide range of matters which will be dealt with at the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference has been under consideration for some time now in my Department and in the other Departments concerned. I hope to make submissions shortly to the Government as to the policy to be adopted by our delegation at the conference on the various questions. The delegation will submit proposals to the conference where this is deemed appropriate.
In view of the fact that this conference was originally intended to be held in the spring of this year, around about this time, could the Minister indicate if the proposals which the Government intend to make have reached an advanced stage? It was scheduled to be held at this time.
I have not got the exact date. I thought it was somewhat later.
Possibly a month later.
A lot of work has been done and, as I said, I hope to be able to make submissions shortly to the Government.
In view of the importance of the decisions of this conference for us as an island, could I ask the Minister whether any consultations have taken place with any other island countries that might be in a similar position?
Not at this stage, I think. The first thing is for us to clear our minds on what we believe would be in our own interest which is, I think, more complicated than it appears to be in some cases at first sight. It is not always easy to be certain what particular line will be most in our own interest in the long run. When one is clear on that one would seek at the conference—perhaps before it but more likely at it— allies on these issues. The Deputy will be aware that the permanent representative to the United Nations, Mr. Con Cremin, who has just retired, has been asked to take on the leadership of the Irish delegation because we feel that this is a matter of very great importance and that his long experience and great ability will enable him to put forward the Irish case effectively at that conference.
It is because of its complexities that I raised the matter. I am aware of how complex it is. I suggest that after the Minister studies it he should, as soon as possible, seek other kindred views on the matter. Would the Minister accept that there is an indication that there will be a wide range of different views which can hardly be resolved at the conference unless proposals have been discussed in advance?
The conference goes through a number of stages. What usually happens at a conference of this kind is that you have a formal opening session, then you have a session where you get down to the problems and isolate them and see what problems it is hard to get agreement on, and then you have another session some months later during which people have time to consult with each other and you then move towards a conclusion. That is the kind of programme here because there is a second session to be held in Caracas in Venezuela from 20th June to 29th August. There will be a third session in Vienna in Austria as well.