Will the Minister join with the Nordic countries in seeking to extend the North Sea Conference to cover the Irish Sea with a view to extending the management programme for the North Sea to the Irish Sea? Much of the waste discharged travels through the atmosphere and the sea itself into the Nordic domain and they are concerned to have some say. Will the Minister join and support them in their case in that?

I have already had negotiations with the Nordic Ambassadors on this. The Deputy can be assured of my continued interest in the possibilities of formally associating with them in relation to their North Sea case. On the flow of water through the Irish Sea much of the pollution from Sellafield and other places ends up in the North Sea. We are conscious of the potential of involvement with the Nordic countries in this area. For example, the Icelanders have been particularly supportive of us in our battle on Sellafield and we are conscious of their support.