Vol. 485 No. 2
24 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will report on the measures, if any, to be introduced at EU level to prevent a repeat of the blockade in France by French hauliers and the current blockade of ports by farmers in Britain; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22801/97]
In response to recent instances of disruption of free movement, a number of measures are under consideration at European Union level. At the Transport Council on Thursday, 11 December 1997 the following measures were considered: the provision of comprehensive and dependable public information before, during and after a dispute; the maintenance of open borders and a system of organised detours, and the establishment of international transit routes or "corridors".
At the Internal Market Council on 27 November 1997, Commissioner Monti presented a proposal for a Council regulation which would fast-track the Commission's power to intervene to re-establish the free movement of goods where serious infringement of that essential principle for the operation of the Internal Market was taking place in a member state.
