asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will state the British Government's position concerning the British fishing limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

While I am, of course, aware of the attitude which the British Government have expressed on this complicated and wide-ranging question I have no responsibility for the formulation of British policy and cannot therefore make a statement in the matter.

Could the Minister say if the British attitude in relation to fishery limits is somewhat similar to ours? Could he further say if a joint approach could be made by both British and Ireland concerning the extension of the present fishery limits?

There are, of course, elements common to our positions but the British Government have other and wider interests to which they give a high priority. Obviously, it would be inappropriate for me to speak for the British Government in the matter and perhaps the best thing would be for me to put into the Library of the House the statement made by Mr. Hattersley, then Minister of State of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at a meeting of the European Council of Ministers on 4th May, 1976, which has been confirmed by the Secretary of State for Scotland, Mr. Millan, on 13th October, 1976, as remaining the British position. It is better to let the British Government speak for themselves than for me to seek to speak for them.

Would the Minister not agree that, having regard to the extension of the fishery limits by American, Canadian, Icelandic and Norwegian Governments, there would be a strong desire on the part of the British Government to accommodate the displaced fishermen who had been fishing in those areas in alternative fisheries such as the Irish fishery waters? Is it not perfectly clear from the general British stance on the matter that the British Government are seeking at least quota facilities within the Irish 50-mile limit fishery waters.

No, that is in no way clear at this stage. What the British Government are seeking, among other things, together with other members of the Community are mandates for negotiation with the countries mentioned by the Deputy to enable their fishermen to continue to fish there. That is what is clear. It is not at all clear that the position is as stated by the Deputy. I think it must be left to the British Government to speak for themselves and I shall put in the Library of the House the statement of Mr. Hattersley.

There is some information that the British are looking for a quota system and in view of the fact that in our 50-mile fishing zone only 10 per cent of the total catch is caught by Irish fishermen, would the Minister give an undertaking to the House that in no circumstances would he or the Government accept a quota system within the 50-mile zone?

I think this is relevant to the next question and that we are now anticipating Question No. 16.

I am not aware of any British position in the matter mentioned by the Deputy and by the previous Deputy. That may yet transpire but it has not emerged so far. There is a reference to quotas in the statement of Mr. Hattersley in referring to the unsatisfactory nature of quotas if they are ineffective but that is a matter which Deputies can read for themselves.

But the Minister will not accept the quota system?

The Deputy is raising a much wider issue on this question which if relevant to either question, could be more relevant to the next one.

I have already mentioned that.

Recent reports would seem to indicate that on this question of the exclusive 50-mile limit——

I am sorry. The questions now being put are specifically related to the next question. I must call Question No. 16 so that we may deal with them properly.

No, if the Chair will let me present the question, I was about to mention the British position. Recent reports would seem to indicate that we are very much on our own on this question and that the British seem to be pulling out of the matter. Would the Minister care to comment on that?

I am calling Question No. 16 now.

Could we have a reply to Deputy Gallagher's question?

I think I had better deal with Question No. 16 and perhaps the question could come up on that.

16.