asked the Minister for External Affairs if he has any statement to make arising out of the Fisheries Conference held in London; and who represented this country at these talks.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fisheries Conference.
13.
I refer the Deputy to the statement issued by my Department which appears in today's papers in relation to the draft agreement arrived at in London on Monday on the extension of exclusive fishery limits.
The Fisheries Conference held three sessions one in December, one in January and the one just concluded. The Irish delegates were:
Mr. Brian Lenihan, T.D., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Lands.
Mr. Seán Morrissey, Assistant Secretary and Legal Adviser, Department of External Affairs.
Mr. Liam Tobin, Assistant Secretary, Department of Lands (Fisheries).
Mr. Seamus Mallin, Inspector and Engineer, Department of Lands (Fisheries).
Is it a fact that now we are to have a 12 mile limit?
Has the Deputy read the agreement?
I have, and I want to know if we are now to have a 12 mile limit.
I can explain the agreement and I can put it in the Library for Deputies to see. It is very clear and distinct. A number of countries have agreed that after a certain time there should be a six-mile limit exclusive to the country concerned and also that there should be excluded from the area from six to 12 miles out all countries who have not established a traditional fishing claim on it. This is a reciprocal agreement. The French, for instance, will exclude everybody except the Irish and British and the other participating States and we shall reciprocate.
How are you going to exclude them?
With Deputy McQuillan's big mouth.
You can bring back the Muirchú.
I should like the Minister to make clear how we are to protect this 12 mile limit?
That does not arise on this question. It is a separate matter.
The Minister said that the French, Spanish, British and others would exclude people from their 12 mile limit. Are the French, Spanish and British fleets to be sent here?
That matter does not arise on this question.
It is very hard to satisfy Deputy Lynch. For three or four years he has been barging me to get an extension of our exclusive fishery limits. Now that he has it, he is not satisfied either.
I want to know who is going to look after it.
Am I correct in thinking that, while the limit does not affect Iceland, it does affect Icelandic ships in these waters?
Yes.
Does the agreement provide for any arrangement to determine what countries are entitled to fish in the six to 12 mile limit?
That is already set out in the agreement.
There is provision for a board to decide who are the traditional fishermen?
Yes, an arbitration board.
Was it agreed who would look after this 12 mile limit?
We shall look after it.
You will in your foot, with your one ship and two others sinking at their moorings because you are not able to recruit crews for them.