The Taoiseach has told the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, of the Government's "serious concern" at the continuing blockade by Welsh farmers of Irish beef produce - and the authorities' inability to bring the affair to an end.
Amid alarm and anger among politicians across the Dail at the treatment of Irish truck drivers at the hands of protesting farmers, a Government spokesman last night said that, in a telephone conversation with Mr Blair earlier in the evening, Mr Ahern made it "quite clear precisely the views expressed in the House and the fact that people are incensed". According to the spokesman, Mr Blair "accepted his obligations under EU free-trade regulations and said he was attempting to resolve the issue as quickly as possible".
Earlier, the Taoiseach said he took "the strongest possible view" of the affair. It was the duty of the British government under EU treaties to uphold the free movement of goods but "that is not happening . . . movement is being impeded". The police had "stood back".
Asked what action Mr Blair proposed to take, the spokesman said: "It is up to the British government to say what they are going to do. The Taoiseach is satisfied that he [Mr Blair] is appraised of the seriousness of the Government's concerns and the feelings of the par ties in Dail Eireann. He is satisfied that Tony Blair is committed to resolving this." Meanwhile, hauliers affected by the blockade are going to seek compensation from the British government for losses. The Minister in charge of road haulage, Mr Joe Jacob, has been asked to help co-ordinate the hauliers' claims.
There is a view in some political circles that the farmers' dispute is more connected to their determination to procure compensation from the British government than it has to do with Irish food shipments entering the country.
In a strongly worded letter to Mr Blair yesterday, the Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, expressed deep concern "at the lack of action by the appropriate authorities at British ports in recent days to uphold the rule of law".
??????ail yesterday expressed serious concern and annoyance at the dramatic escalation of the dispute . The Fine Gael leader referred to Irish exporters to and through Britain "being denied the opportunity to exercise their trade by a mob, with the police standing by and the rule of law not being enforced in Britain in a way that is disadvantageous to this island". Urging the Taoiseach to take up the matter in the "strongest possible terms" with the Prime Minister,
Mr Blair had been extremely vocal when this happened to British truck drivers in France, but "now allows his police to stand by and allow Irish exporters to be victimised by a mob who are interviewing them and deciding who shall and shall not pass".
Mr Ruairi Quinn, the Labour Party leader, said the blockade amounted to "a flagrant breach of international law which offends every principle the British are supposed to support".