asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have entered into any agreements with third countries in relation to fishing; if he will state the countries involved; and the terms of the agreements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Agreements.
22.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to countries which are not member states of the European Community. Ireland is a party to the Convention done at London on 9th March, 1964, and under the Convention Spain, being a country whose vessels habitually fished off Ireland, is permitted to fish in certain areas immediately outside the six mile belt. The areas in which Spanish vessels may fish are from Bloody Foreland, County Donegal, to Rinrawros Point, Aran Island, County Donegal, and from Carrickakin, Achill Island, County Mayo, to The Rogue, Mine Head, County Waterford.
The European Commission, on behalf of the Community, is negotiating a framework agreement on fisheries with Spain which it is intended will replace the London Convention as far as Spanish fishing vessels are concerned.
Do I take it from the Minister's reply that we have no arrangements or agreements with non-member states such as Russia or Bulgaria?
No, we have not had such arrangements. The only non-member state with whom there is an arrangement, and this is of an international character, is Spain. The Community, of course, has entered into negotiations with certain countries and pending the outcome of these negotiations has, in respect of the Soviet Union, for example, prescribed certain fishing arrangements at a considerable distance from our shores. These negotiations with these countries have not yet reached a conclusion. We have indicated that our consent to agreements being entered into for reciprocal fishing arrangements with other countries outside the Community is dependent on agreement being reached on an internal regime satisfactory to us.
Would the Minister like to comment on public statements which suggest that Britain, and other member states, had agreements with Russia and other non-member states? Is it intended that we should follow a similar line or has any thought been given to this line of action?
There are no bilateral agreements applying in this area because it is a Community question. The Community, pending the negotiation of agreements on behalf of the whole Community, has some arrangements current for reciprocal fishing of an interim tempory character in the interim period before negotiations are concluded. These include arrangements which are unilateral decisions of the Community communicated to the parties concerned, in respect of, for example, the Soviet Union, permitting them to catch a certain amount of fish, a small fraction of what was previously caught, in certain areas, but none of which is within 50 miles of our coast and most of which is more than 100 miles from our coast.
Could the Minister indicate whether the agreement with Spain is in accordance with the custom that, before proceeding against an offending country, you advise them of the offence?
I am not sure what the Deputy has in mind about Spain. The arrangement with Spain is one of long standing which is now being reviewed by the Community. In the interim period before that review is completed and agreement reached with Spain, the Community have indicated the quantities of fish which Spain may catch in Community waters, including some waters off our coast. With regard to the second part of the Deputy's question about advising people of what steps will be taken, the normal practice internationally is, I understand, that if a new arrangement is entered into and if a country is found to be offending, a courteous warning is given in respect of the implementation of that new arrangement, or new control mechanism, before you actually proceed to arrest the vessel concerned.
I was trying to get a clearer picture of the situation arising from the conflict which seemed to arise yesterday as to the policy which operates. Deputy Flanagan indicated that it was customary——
The Minister for Defence.
——to give a warning to offending countries. Is it a custom or is it a condition?
We ought not to go back to yesterday's questions.
If you introduce a new system of control and you find a vessel offending against it, which conceivably though improbably might not be aware of it, you inform them courteously and ask them to withdraw before you take any action against them. That arrangement operates generally internationally.
It is the only warning.
If the vessels do not withdraw, or if there is a repetition of the offence, one proceeds to make an arrest.
Question No. 23.