asked the Minister for External Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to reports that new restrictions have been imposed on the importation of lobsters and other shell fish into France and, if these reports are correct, whether the Government propose to make representations to the French Government to secure the relaxation of such restrictions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Importation of Shell Fish into France.
I am aware that on February 4th the French Government temporarily suspended the application of liberalisation measures to imports of shell fish. The effect of this is that imports into France of certain classes of shell fish, which were formerly free, are now subject to import licence.
Irish exports of shell fish to France are covered by the trade agreement with that country concluded last year, and I have no reason to doubt that the French Government will honour their undertakings. The Ambassador at Paris has been instructed to seek adequate import quotas for the classes of shell fish affected by the new measures.