Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Northern Ireland – 18 January 1990

Below is the text of the Written Parliamentary Answer on Northern Ireland on 18 January 1990.

Mr. John D. Taylor To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last made representations to the European Commission to have the restrictions on the movement of Irish shoppers into Northern Ireland removed.

Mr. Major I assume that the right hon. Member is referring to the Irish Government’s withdrawal in March 1987 of travellers’ allowances from persons who have been out of the Republic for less than 48 hours. Her Majesty’s Government made it clear at the time both to the European Commission and to the Irish Government that they believed these restrictions to be contrary to EC law. The United Kingdom has intervened accordingly in support of the proceedings instituted by the Commission against Ireland in the European Court of Justice. The hearing is due to take place in February.