150. Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on restrictions on shopping in Northern Ireland presently applied by the Republic of Ireland on its citizens; what consideration has been given to the restrictions by the European Community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CopeThe European Court of Justice ruled on 12 June 1990 that the restriction debarring citizens of the Republic of Ireland from benefitting from travellers' allowances if they are out of the country for under 48 hours is against European Community law. The United Kingdom Government gave their support to the action of the European Commission in bringing this matter before the European Court. We have persistently urged the Republic of Ireland Government to act on the judgment and remove these restrictions and we will continue to do so.