Vol. 472 No. 5
17 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the current position regarding the extension of the boundary of the Irish Continental Shelf; whether a submission has been made to the United Nations Boundary Commission in accordance with the UN Law of the Sea Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23491/96]
Under the UN Law of the Sea Convention, Ireland has until 21 June 2006 to submit its claim in regard to establishing the outer limits of our Continental Shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.
Work on the preparation of our case began last year with the acquisition of seismic data. A bathymetric survey was undertaken this year. Interpretation and analysis of this data is continuing and, depending on the results, further surveys could be required next year. This will determine when the submission can be made to the UN.
No submissions has been made on the limits of the Continental Shelf to date by any country as the commission which will evaluate these submissions has not yet been established. Elections to the 21 member commission will take place in New York on 13 March 1997. Ireland has a candidate standing in that election. The commission is expected to convene its first plenary session in June 1997 and submissions can be made from that date.
