asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the latest position on the talks with Britain regarding ownership of Rockall and the surrounding sea-bed.
Written Answers. - Ownership of Rockall.
66.
In replying to a similar question from the Deputy on 9 December last, I explained that the British and Irish Governments have agreed to refer the delimitation of the Continental Shelf to ad hoc arbitration.
As I have previously indicated, the delimitation covers the entire extent of the Continental Shelf contiguous to Britain and Ireland. It is not concerned solely with the delimitation of the Rockall Plateau or exclusively with any single feature in isolation, such as Rockall, but involves the whole shelf in the north west and in the Irish and Celtic Sea areas in so far as it is a natural prolongation of the landmass of two neighbouring states.
Negotiations at official level are continuing with a view to setting up the arbitration tribunal and the matter is progressing as rapidly as is prudent given its complexity and importance.