asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will indicate Government policy on environmental matters at the UN Law of the Sea Conference to be held in Caracas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - UN Sea Law Talks.
12.
The basic principles of the Government's policy on marine environment matters in connection with the UN Conference on the Law of the Sea were set out in the Attorney General's address to the conference in Caracas on 11th July, 1974. In his address the Attorney General indicated that Ireland considered that the recognition of coastal State jurisdiction over a wide area of sea would constitute the most effective way of ensuring compliance with international regulations in this field. Ireland would, therefore, support the concept that coastal States should have the right to enforce such regulations in the proposed economic zone which the Government consider should extend 200 nautical miles from the baselines of the territorial seas. The Attorney General also said that the Conference on the Law of the Sea should state the common conviction that States have the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.
The Conference will meet again in Geneva from 17th March to 10th May, 1975. The developments at the Caracas session are currently under examination for the purpose of defining further our policy on questions relating to the preservation of the marine environment arising in this context.
Is this a firm outline of policy? Can we take it for granted that our representatives will insist on this massive extension of our national waters?
Our view on this is firm. The main point involved is the 200 mile extension. There is considerable support for this view of course.
On the assumption that an extension of 100 or 200 miles will be agreed, will the Government make sure that these waters will be adequately patrolled?
That is a separate question.
That question should be answered by another Minister.