Quotas A quota is a limit on the quantity of goods produced.
For example, Irish farmers were restricted by milk quotas that were introduced in 1984 as a response to overproduction in this sector. These quotas were abolished in 2015.
Embargoes An embargo is a ban on the trade of certain goods.
For example, an embargo on exporting European beef to the US and China, which was put in place in 1998 following the outbreak of BSE (mad cow disease), was lifted for Ireland in 2015 and export to these countries resumed. The lifting of the embargo is a huge benefit to the Irish economy.
Subsidies A subsidy is a form of price support given by the government to businesses.
For example, the Irish government provides subsidies to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), the national public transport provider, to keep the company operating despite it making a loss.
