I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me raise on the Adjournment the important issue of the blockade by French lorry drivers in France which has cost Irish businesses approximately £2 million. The future does not look good. Contracts entered into by Irish companies are in grave jeopardy. On "Morning Ireland" this morning a gentleman outlined the serious difficulties his company is experiencing because of the dispute. The French blockade is causing severe difficulties for some of our people and if it is allowed continue it will cause grave tensions at Calais, La Rochelle and other ports on the French western seaboard as well as at border crossings with Germany and other countries. Tensions are extremely high at present.
I accept the Minister of State, Deputy Stagg, met representatives of the Irish Road Haulage Association to discuss this matter. I have been in daily contact with the president of that organisation. What has the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Deputy Lowry, done in this regard? What has the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs done to represent our citizens who, through no fault of theirs, cannot get in or out of France with their commodities?
It is pertinent that we currently hold the Presidency of the EU as this problem transcends many ministries. The export of live animals is a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. One of our organisations called on the Minister, Deputy Yates, as president of the Council of Agriculture Ministers to make representations to the French Government and French agencies to alleviate the problem. The Departments of Tourism and Trade and Enterprise and Employment could also make a significant input. Jobs here are at stake because of what is taking place in France.
We should raise with the EU Commission, through the Presidency, the question of compensation for losses sustained by Irish companies because of this debacle. None of the companies involved was able to get insurance because it is a matter of civil strife in another country. The Government should do more than it is doing at present. We cannot stand idly by. With due respect to the Minister of State, Deputy Stagg, we need a more high powered input from the Government to get these people off the hook. We need direct intervention from Ministers and, in particular, from the Taoiseach who should put pressure on the French Government not to allow a dispute in France affect non-nationals and Irish people. I urge the Minister of State to pass on to his Government colleagues the necessity for urgent and direct involvement at a high Government level in this matter.
