§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth. Affairs what information the Government have received about the attitude of the Irish Government towards a reform of the common fisheries policy, including a 50-mile exclusive zone.
§ Mr. Frank JuddI cannot speak for the Government of Ireland. However, understand that at a Press conference on 22nd February the Irish Fisheries Minister, Mr. Lenihan, announced that he had decided not to continue to press the Irish claim for an exclusive 50 mile fisheries zone at the present time. He added that he was satisfied that substantial advantage could be secured through the adoption of a scheme of fishing plans operating on an interim basis for 1978 and designed to offer a special preference for Irish fishermen up to 200 miles from the coast.