asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the present position regarding Ireland's claim of ownership of Rockall and the surrounding seabed.

The Deputy will be aware that we are in dispute with the British about division of the Continental Shelf and the Government have stated categorically that they do not accept that the British Government could acquire jurisdiction over areas rightfully within the jurisdiction of the Government of Ireland. We have agreed in principle with the British to submit the dispute to a third party dispute settlement procedure which will determine the delimitation of the Continental Shelf including questions relating to Rockall.

When is it expected that this third party committee will sit on this matter and make a decision?

I cannot say that because the consultations with the British Government are continuing. This week I indicated to the Minister of State at the British Foreign Office, whom I met in Brussels, the urgency of the matter. This involves agreement firstly on the personnel who will conduct this informal arbitration. I hope it will be possible to get the final stages of agreement under way very soon.

Have the British indicated a desire to go ahead with oil and gas exploration in the area concerned.

No. We have indicated, as a consequence of some reports which emerged some months back, that our immediate concern is that this issue will in no way be compromised or compromise the decisions to be taken by this informal tribunal. The British have confirmed to us that nothing they are doing will in any way compromise that and we are satisfied with that. In fact, the reports which appeared in newspapers were not accurate.

Have there been any approaches by oil companies who wish to explore that area?

That does not arise on the question and I am not the competent Minister to reply to that.

Is the Minister aware of any approaches made to any Minister?

I am aware that this is a matter that the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy is considering very seriously and I believe he is in consultation but I am not in the position to say any more.

If the Minister considers that the ownership of Rockall which surrounds the sea-bed is important to this State would he not consider it equally important to consider the sea-bed of Derry, Antrim and Down?

That is not a relevant question. It is not in order because it is calculated to lead to argument.

Why is it not in order? Has the Minister now accepted, as spokesman for the Government, that the sea-bed surrounding Derry, Antrim and Down is not part of this country?

That has nothing to do with Rockall.

For a party of Republicans it must be spelled with a very small "r".

The Deputy is becoming very Republican this weather.