asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the actions being taken by the Irish Geological Survey Group in their efforts to secure legislation regarding the seabed in an international context; and if he will make a statement on the progress made.
Written Answers. - Seabed Legislation.
104.
Since the Deputy's similar question on 2nd May, 1974, two sessions of the UN Conference on the Law of the Sea have been held, the first in Caracas from 20th June to 29th August, 1974, and the second in Geneva from 17th March to 10th May, 1975. As already indicated to the Deputy, this conference is concerned with a wide range of subjects involving a number of Government Departments. The principal items of interest to my Department are the exploration and development of sea bed mineral resources and the delimitation of the area of national jurisdiction; representatives of the Geological Survey have participated on my behalf in both sessions of the conference.
While certain progress has been made, the stage of final agreement has not been reached and preparations are now in hand for a third session of the conference which will be held in New York from 15th March to 7th May, 1976, and at which the representatives of the Geological Survey will attend as part of the Irish delegation.