asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government propose to raise at the closing session of the Law of the Sea Conference the question of dumping at sea and in particular the continued use by the United Kingdom Government of the European Atlantic dump site; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The question of raising this matter in the context of the Law of the Sea Conference does not arise as the conference has already concluded its negotiations and the text of the convention has been adopted.

22.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he expects the Law of the Sea Conference to conclude.

The closing session of the Law of the Sea Conference at which the convention will be opened for signature, will take place in Jamaica from 6 to 10 December 1982. The convention will be signed, subject to ratification, on behalf of Ireland at that time.

Do I take it that absolute agreement has been reached? I was under the impression that the United States had vetoed some of the proposals in the final stages.

In reply to the Deputy, it is open for signature. I am not sure whether all the countries concerned will be ready to sign on that particular day. I gather that some will have difficulties, that some have already taken the decision to sign when the convention opens in early December, and that others are postponing their decision to another date.

What will be the practical effect if some members, such as the United States, will not sign?

I would need notice of that question before I could give the Deputy a worthwhile answer to it.

I asked this because the Convention will be useless unless some of the major powers sign. Is that not correct?

Certainly, the Convention would not be effective if they did not sign it.

This matter has been going on for a long time, as the Minister is aware. Would he not agree, as Deputy Deasy has attempted to suggest, that unless some of the major world powers put their signature to this Convention, it will be a wasted effort on the part of all the participants? Would the Minister, therefore, use his office as Minister and our position both in the EEC and in relation to the White House, in an endeavour in so far as it is possible, to persuade the United States to give their signature to this Convention?

The Deputy can rest assured that we will play a positive role in encouraging as many as possible to sign the Convention as soon as possible.

One final question. I take it that Ireland will be signing the convention.

Ireland will be signing when the convention opens in the first or second week of December of this year.

Will there be a debate in the House before this happens?

There has to be, before ratification takes place.