Some Senators may also be aware that the European Commission has recently expressed an interest in Ireland's case against the United Kingdom. This is the principal reason given by the tribunal for its postponement of full hearings until December this year. I have previously been asked the reason Ireland did not decide to take its case through the European Court of Justice and my answer remains the same. Ireland chose the UN route because we recognised that route as being the quickest and most effective way of making our case. The Convention on the Law of the Sea contains important provisions on co-operation and marine pollution that do not exist in European law. While I welcome the interest of the European Commission in Ireland's case, I do not accept a view that Ireland should have taken a case before the European Court of Justice. Our position does not preclude a future challenge through that court. I remain committed to this litigation, which is in line with the policy of the Government to oppose the continued operation and expansion of activities at the Sellafield site.