asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the present position with regard to the ownership of fishing rights within a 200-mile radius of Rockall.
Written Answers. - Rockall Fishing Rights.
141.
The Government do not accept that any country can claim fishing rights from rocks. Ireland extended its exclusive fishing limits to 200 nautical miles from baselines, as from 1 January 1977. The UK also extended its exclusive fishing zone at that time and claimed a 200 nautical mile fishing limit from Rockall. This claim was rejected by the Irish Government. The area around Rockall is included among the areas the ownership of which we have agreed in principle with the British to submit to judicial third party settlement.