Irish exporters are losing "a few million pounds" daily because of the blockade by French truckers, the Minister for Public Enterprise, Mrs O'Rourke, told the Dail. Several hundred Irish trucks, she said, had been impounded in France. "These were exports which were dearly won, markets which were dearly won by Irish firms. If there is a continuation of this, it would be very easy for there to be a slippage and a loss," she added.
Mr Eamon Gilmore (DL, Dun Laoghaire) said that in view of the fact that the blocking of roads and ports was now becoming a bit of a habit in French agricultural and industrial disputes, the Minister should formulate proposals for a Council of Ministers meeting to take preventative action. Mrs O'Rourke said it was time to give consideration to an EU directive whereby blockades should not be allowed happen on an ongoing basis.
She said that on Monday she had contacted the office of the European Transport Commissioner, Mr Neil Kinnock, and had made him fully aware of the effects of the dispute on Irish trade. "Commissioner Kinnock assured me that he was monitoring the dispute on an hour-by-hour basis and would keep in regular contact with me. He emphasised that he can only directly intervene under Article 30, if the relevant government is not actively seeking a solution."
She said that she had also written and spoken to the Luxembourg Transport Minister, Ms Mady Delvaux, requesting her to convene an emergency meeting of the EU Transport Council to discuss the dispute. On compensation, Mrs O'Rourke said she understood that Irish claims arising from the previous dispute, which were recently submitted to the French authorities, were now being processed.
"I am aware that the French response to claims from other member-states has been slow. However, because of the care which has been taken to properly document Irish claims, I am confident that the French authorities will respond quickly and positively. The experience gained with those claims will assist in preparing any claims arising from the current dispute.
"The staff of the Irish embassy in Paris will be available to give assistance to drivers in difficulties arising from the dispute. This will include advice, normal consular services and assistance in case of emergencies."
Mr Emmet Stagg (Labour, Kildare North) said that there were about 500 trucks stranded in France and two of them had been very badly damaged in a riot. The Fine Gael spokesman on public enterprise, Mr Ivan Yates, asked if the extent of the Minister's activities to date were sending two letters to her French opposite number and similar correspondence with Mr Kinnock. Mere correspondence was wholly inadequate, he said. Mrs O'Rourke said that she had spoken directly and at length to Mr Kinnock.