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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 1 Apr 1981

Vol. 328 No. 4

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Law of the Sea Conference.

18.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Houses of the Oireachtas will be consulted before this country makes any binding agreement at the Law of the Sea Conference.

In accordance with the provisions of Article 29 of the Constitution the terms of any convention which is likely to result from the negotiations at the Third Law of the Sea Conference will have to be approved by the Dáil before the State can become a party to it.

When does the Minister expect that the Law of the Sea Conference will conclude?

The tenth session of the conference is currently taking place in New York and it was hoped that this would reach finality in Caracas at a session some time later this year. That is our hope at present. There are certain problems by reason of the new American government.

So, we are guaranteed that there will be no binding agreement until it has been discussed by these Houses?

No. Incidentally, I might say it is a good agreement which we can support if it works out the way I hope it will work out.

(Interruptions.)

Why would the Minister be proud?

The world is full of this kind of agreement. They are designed every day of the week.

That is it, anyway.

(Interruptions.)
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