Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has made about the present restrictions imposed upon day-trippers visiting Northern Ireland by the Government of the Republic of Ireland; when he last discussed this subject at a meeting of the Anglo-Irish Ministerial Council; when he last made representations to the Commission of the European Community about this subject; and when this matter will be heard by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
§ Mr. BrookeWe have made clear to the Irish Government through a number of channels, including the Intergovernmental Conference, our concern about their restrictions on travellers' allowances. When the restrictions were imposed in 1987, we brought them to the attention of the European Commission, who later the same year referred the case to the European Court of Justice. Written pleadings have been exchanged at the court, and the United Kingdom has submitted observations in support of the Commission. The court declared the written procedure closed in August, but has not yet fixed a date for oral hearing.