asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to challenge Britain's claim to jurisdiction over Rockall at the International Law of the Sea Conference.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rockall Jurisdiction.
17.
The Law of the Sea Conference is concerned with the establishment of general principles of maritime jurisdiction rather than the specific question of the jurisdiction over individual islands or rocks. However, I can assure the Deputy that the Irish delegation will oppose any proposal which would support claims to maritime jurisdiction arising from the possession of uninhabited and isolated islands.
Could I ask the Minister if, since I first raised this matter in October of last year, he or any Department of Government has done any study as to the resources which do lie around this island so as to enable us formulate our policy with regard to those resources?
I think that is another question. I am not too sure that it should not also be addressed to another Department.
It is almost ten months since I first brought this matter to the attention of the House and of the nation as well. The Minister indicated to me previously that he does not accept that the claim to jurisdiction over the rock automatically entitles claim to exploration of the resources. I am asking the Minister now if he can tell me if he or any Department of Government has, in fact, instigated an investigation into what resources may be there so that our continuing discussions—I presume we have had some already— with the British Government can be conducted on that basis?
I do not think I used the word "automatically"; if I may just correct the Deputy's account of what I said. Our position is one of principle. The question of what resources there may be there and what investigations have been carried out is, I think, a matter for another Department. I have no information on that in reply to this question.
Can the Minister tell me the outcome of any consultations he may have had with the British Government on this issue whether as to the jurisdiction over the rock itself or as to the right to explore the resources around the rock since I first raised this matter last October?
The communications we have had with the British Government have been to make clear our position. They could not, I think properly be described as consultations. In reply to a previous question, I said to the Deputy that we had made our position quite clear on the matter and will, of course, continue to make it clear as a matter of general principle at the conference now taking place.
In view of what the Minister said today might I ask whether he will ensure that some Department of this Government will investigate the potential resources around that rock so that we will be better informed as to the outcome of whatever claim we would have in that area?
That would be a matter for another Department.
I think the matter of investigation of resources is a matter for another Department. I understand, from informal knowledge that such studies are being carried out of our possible resources on the Continental Shelf. But that is a matter for another Department and I think the Deputy should pursue it by way of question to the appropriate Minister.
I would have thought that the other Department would have informed the Minister who was engaged in discussions with the British Government on the matter.