asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the line proposed by the Government for the division of the continental shelf with Britain; and if it coincides within the relevant area with the equidistant line drawn for fisheries.
478.
Written Answers. - Continental Shelf Delimitation.
477.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the British islands which the Government have proposed should not be taken into account for the purpose of drawing an equidistance line of delimitation; and the area and population of these islands.
480.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is anticipated that there will be delimitation of the continental shelf between Ireland and France; and if any proposals have been made on the matter.
484.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement giving the up-to-date position on the dispute between Ireland and the United Kingdom on the division of the continental shelf.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 477, 478, 480 and 484 together.
As the Deputy is aware from previous replies to questions, the Irish and British Governments have agreed to refer the delimitation of the continental shelf to ad hoc arbitration. The Deputy will appreciate that I do not wish in any way to prejudice the case which Ireland will be putting forward before the tribunal by making advance statements on the lines of argument which we are considering.
Any proposal for the division of the continental shelf and the status to be accorded to islands will be material factors in the court's deliberations so that it would not be appropriate for me to divulge any details of the case which we intend to put forward.
The present position is that negotiations are continuing at official level on the terms of reference of the court of arbitration. The latest meeting between the two sides took place in June and it is hoped that the agreement will be before the Dáil for consideration and approval of its terms before the end of the year.
Pending the outcome of the arbitration it would be premature to make any comment on the possibility of delimitation of the continental shelf between Ireland and France.
479.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the British Government was allowed to designate without protest from the Government areas of continental shelf now claimed by the Government; and, if so, if he will explain how this occurred.
Any designations of areas of continental shelf by the British Government which have been considered contrary to Irish interests have been the subject of protest to the British Government.