asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government were informed in advance by the British Government of their intention to make an Order in Council claiming exploration rights over 52,000 square miles of the North Atlantic Sea.
Written Answers. - North Atlantic Exploration Rights.
109.
The Government received notice of the terms of the order referred to in the Deputy's question some hours before it was made. As soon as they ascertained the exact areas to which the order referred, the Government informed the British Government that they did not accept that the British Government were entitled to designate areas of Rockall plateau or other areas closer to the Irish than to the British coast. Subsequently negotiations took place at official level between representatives of the two Governments. It has been agreed that further negotiations will take place at an early date.