Vol. 547 No. 4
47 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the steps the Government has taken to advance the objective of seeking an extension of the continental shelf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3506/02]
In 1996, Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which includes definition of the continental shelf, and had ten years from that date, that is, until 2006, to lodge a submission to the Commission on the limits of the continental shelf. At a meeting of the states parties to the Convention during 2001, it was agreed that for all states which had ratified prior to May, 1999, including Ireland, the ten year deadline should be extended to May 2009.
A large amount of scientific and technical data has to be collected to support this submission. Interpretation of new data is complete and existing infill seismic data has been gathered and collated. It is expected that Ireland's submission will be finalised by mid-2002.
