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.