asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of State ownership of the sea-bed surrounding this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sea-bed Ownership.
25.
Customary international law recognises that coastal state jurisdiction derives from the fact that the Continental Shelf is the natural prolongation of the land territory and Ireland claims jurisdiction over its adjoining Continental Shelf accordingly. In its review of existing international law the Law of the Sea Conference is also at present considering this question and is seeking a more precise definition of the continental margin and how the outer edge of the Continental Shelf may be delineated with more certainty. I would also refer the Deputy to the designation orders made with respect to the Continental Shelf, the most recent being that made on 1 February 1977, designating areas within which rights of exploration and exploitation of the natural resources of the sea-bed may be exercised.
When a Continental Shelf is the natural prolongation of two or more opposite or adjacent states then the question of delimitation of the shelf between them arises. We have agreed with the British to submit the question of delimitation of the Continental Shelf to an independent third party dispute settlement procedure.
What are the actual physical limits of the Continental Shelf over which we are claiming jurisdiction?
It would be difficult to answer that question, but I can refer the Deputy to the physical limits of the designation order which is contained in Statutory Instrument, No. 22, 1977. However, the whole question of the rights of states to the exploration and exploitation of the Continental Shell generally is a matter for the most serious consideration at the International Law of the Sea Conference. Ireland has made specific proposals in that regard to ensure that the jurisdiction would stretch out to the margin of the Continental Shelf, which in some instances is perhaps more than 200 miles. The question is very complex and technical.
Is the Minister satisfied that we should restrict our claim to the limit of the edge of the Continental Shelf?
It is not a question of the edge of the Continental Shelf but of a continuation of the sea-bed to the extent that one can justify this by reference to scientific data. That is one of the matters that is under detailed consideration at present. The limit is not fixed by reference to a fixed point on the shelf.
Can the Minister say what claim he is making in respect of Counties Derry, Antrim and Down?
That is a separate question.
I disagree. The question refers to this country.
The Deputy has been singing this song for a time. Unfortunately, neither he nor his predecessors resolved the situation; but he will not succeed in engaging me in this wider political issue.
The question is very direct. It concerns State ownership of the sea-bed surrounding this country. That is a straightforward question. What claim is the Minister laying to the sea-bed surrounding Counties Antrim, Derry and Down which is part of this country?
I took the Deputy's question to relate to the seabed within the jurisdiction of this State at this moment.
The question relates to this country and not to this State.
I note that the Member who tabled the question did not raise that issue. The Deputy could have raised this matter on many occasions in recent years, especially when his party were in Government. Obviously, his question relates to the broader political question and I do not intend to get involved in that issue with him.
I am correcting the position. If we are talking about the State we should talk about it but if we are talking about the country we should refer to the country.
Reports emanating from the Law of the Sea Conference indicate that land-locked countries are claiming seabed areas further out than the Continental Shelf and I should like to know if the Minister is in agreement that those claims should be allowed or if he is contesting that issue?
That is definitely a separate matter. The question relates to the seabed surrounding the country but the claim by the land-locked states relates to the areas outside the Continental Shelf or extensions of it. I did not take that as being part of the Deputy's question but that is one of the other issues under consideration at the conference at present. We will be making the same claim for a proportionate interest there with anybody else.
Is the Minister staking a claim?
Yes.