Discussion of a revised management scheme for the regulation of commercial whaling are ongoing in the framework of the International Whaling Commission at present. The next round of talks are scheduled for later this month. The Government looks forward to a new and satisfactory whaling regime being agreed without delay. Both Ireland and Norway are members of the International Whaling Commission. We are fully familiar with each others views as expressed in that forum.
Concerning the second part of the question, Ireland welcomes the application of Norway to join the Community/Union and looks forward to a successful and speedy conclusion to the negotiations.
Official negotiations between the Community member states and Norway opened on 5 April. As the Danish Presidency pointed out at the opening negotiating session, accession implies full acceptance of the actual and potential rights and obligations attaching to the Community system and its institutional framework, known as the "acuis communautaire".