Vol. 484 No. 3
129 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the compensation, if any, paid to Irish truckers and their firms arising from the disruption and financial losses they suffered due to the blockade earlier this year by French truck operations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22002/97]
The Irish Road Haulage Association is collating the necessary compensation claim documentation for submission to the French authorities through a firm of solicitors especially engaged for that purpose.
As a result of the early and extensive availability of information in relation to the dispute, Irish hauliers were able to plan effectively to avoid many of the blockades. Because of this and the widespread use of information technology and mobile communications to assist in finding alternative routes, it is estimated that the number of Irish hauliers affected by the recent blockades was relatively low. The Irish Road Haulage Association is confident of a satisfactory settlement of all claims without undue delay.
