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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Jun 1978

Vol. 307 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Continental Shelf Arbitration .

10.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will explain the apparent lack of progress in the arbitration of the Continental Shelf division with Britain.

: The question of the nature of the arbitral tribunal to adjudicate the issue is an important one requiring careful consideration of a host of varying factors, as the Deputy will appreciate. One side cannot impose its preference on the other; both sides must agree on the tribunal. As I said in the House recently when introducing the Estimates for my Department, I expect progress on this point to be made in the very near future.

: Are the negotiations to set up the arbitration commission going ahead?

: Yes, indeed.

: But in the meantime the British Government have issued exploration licences to their own petroleum company to explore for oil in that region. Is that correct?

: No. Perhaps the Deputy is relying on Press reports published some weeks ago which seem to give the impression that a licence was issued by the British Government in respect of new areas to new companies. On checking out this matter I found that that is not the case. No new designated areas have been affected by any licences issued by the British Government.

: And no licences were issued in respect of the disputed waters?

: Nothing that extends over what has been done in the last year or two in that connection.

: No licence for exploration in these waters will be issued pending the outcome of the arbitration?

: The Deputy will be aware of the fact that during his time in Government certain licences were issued which made the need for proceeding with this arbitration all the more urgent.

: Were licences issued since the British Government agreed to arbitration?

: I do not like dialogue across the floor ignoring the Chair. That practice should not be allowed to develop.

: Would the Minister care to express his views on Rockall? It is the first time he has been asked to comment since he became a Government Minister.

: Were it not for the fact that I brought this up when in Opposition, without the benefit of Government advice, three or four years ago it would not now be of great interest to our country. If I have any comment to make it is that I made a very positive contribution at that stage.

: I would not like the Minister to take this offensively. After all the Minister should remember that it is off the Donegal coast and there is a difference between Donegal and Tipperary.

: This would not even be a matter for arbitration now had I not raised it. The Deputy should have been a little more conscious then of the Rockall issue because no member of his party when in Government was.

: The Minister was more vocal when in Opposition than he is now.

: I will be more effective in action than my predecessor.

: I hope the Minister will be and I wish him every success.

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