asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will assist the fishing industry in County Donegal by the immediate extension of Irish fishing limits.

The Government support the view that the jurisdiction of coast states with regard to fisheries should be extended. They consider that this can be most effectively achieved by general agreement among nations. This is, therefore, the Government's position at the UN Law of the Sea Conference where it seems most likely that provisions to this effect will be adopted in any convention which may emerge from the conference.

The Government are of the view that unilateral action extending jurisdiction might well jeopardise a successful outcome to the conference. Pending the outcome of the conference, therefore, the Government do not propose to extend the Irish fishing limit unilaterally.