Members of an Oireachtas committee yesterday strongly criticised the refusal of the British ambassador, Ms Veronica Sutherland, to attend a meeting called to discuss the British blockades of Irish beef products.
The chairman of the Joint Committee on European Affairs, Mr Bernard Durkan TD, is to write to the ambassador expressing the committee's disappointment at her failure to attend yesterday's meeting or to send a representative.
If Ms Sutherland declines a second invitation to meet the committee, she will be asked to receive a deputation of committee members, who claim that Britain has failed to uphold EU free trade laws.
Yesterday's meeting was arranged before the latest clashes between protesting Welsh farmers and police at Holyhead.
In a letter to the committee, Ms Sutherland said that after consultations with her authorities in London she had to decline the invitation to attend.
She added that she did not wish to be unhelpful to the committee and enclosed extracts from House of Commons debates and statements by the British agriculture minister, Dr Jack Cunningham.
Mr Sean Barrett TD (FG) said it was obviously a matter which the British ambassador had felt had to be referred to the authorities in London. It was regrettable that they had decided she should stay away from the meeting.
Mr Barrett's comments were supported by Mr Seamus Kirk TD (FF), who said the committee should express its disappointment that the British embassy had not seen fit to send a representative.
Mr Ulick Burke TD (FG) said Irish lorries had been selectively singled out by protesters, not only coming from Ireland but also returning via Britain from the Continent. He said it seemed British police were aware that the latest flare-up was going to happen but did not alert the Irish authorities.
"A very strong message has to go from this committee to the British embassy that we certainly don't condone the response they have given to us and also the actions of the British authorities," he said.
The chairman, Mr Durkan (FG), suggested that the committee convey its views to the ambassador. It meant no disrespect, but it was difficult to accept that during a period in which Britain happened to hold the EU presidency, the incidents which had happened should be allowed to occur. Perhaps they would have a response at the next meeting.
However, Mr John McGuinness TD (FF) said further steps should be taken if the committee was to be taken seriously. He took a "very dim view" of the fact that the British embassy was not represented.
The British blockades were interfering with livelihoods in Ireland and the letter from the ambassador was not satisfactory.
Mr McGuinness supported a proposal by Mr Barrett that, if the British embassy could not send a representative to meet the committee, it should send a deputation to the embassy.
"We go and see them and express our views if they won't come and see us," said Mr Barrett.
Senator Don Lydon (FF) said the ambassador's response was another example of "British arrogance towards Ireland".
He disagreed with Mr Barrett's suggestion. If the British wanted to foster relationships between the two countries, "they should come to see us".
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture and the European Commission, who outlined steps taken at ministerial and EU level to have last year's blockades lifted.
Mr Raymond Keane, deputy director of the Commission office in Dublin, said proposals had been drawn up which, if accepted by the Council of Ministers, would allow the Commission to act "more firmly and quickly" in dealing with illegal blockades.
