asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of Irish territorial waters; and if there are any plans to extend these limits.

As I informed the Deputy in March of this year in reply to a similar question from him, Irish territorial waters, in accordance with section 3 of the Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 1959 extend to three nautical miles from the nearest point of the baseline. There are no plans at present to extend the limits of our territorial seas.

How is it that some countries have a territorial limit of 12 miles and others a territorial limit extending to as many as 200 miles? Surely a three-mile limit is very small in this day and age. Why can we not create a greater territorial jurisdiction?

With respect to the Deputy, at present our territorial limit is three nautical miles. The question of whether the Law of the Sea Convention permits extension of the territorial jurisdiction to 12 nautical miles is being examined at present. It appears that this may be possible, but until such time as this examination is completed, it is not proposed to extend the territorial limit.

May I repeat my question? Why have some countries an effective 12 mile territorial limit before the finalisation of the Law of the Sea Conference? Why can we not have the same?

I am afraid that I would need separate notice of a question regarding what other countries do.

Surely that is a very simple matter to explain. Also, if there is no definite conclusion to the Law of the Sea Conference, can we go ahead and take unilateral action in defining our own territorial limit?

As I have just now repeated, in accordance with section 3 of the Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 1959, the extent of three miles from the nearest point of the baseline is as far as we can go right now.

But other countries have 12 miles.

I cannot answer for other countries.