Hello Tom,
Tom wrote:
 Sadly, the Irish Government prohibits the importation of bees. But I am
ever   hopeful that someday this will change, as change it surely must.

Tom we have got the same situation in the U.S.. You need to start convincing
your officials that a importation from the U.S. agriculture department to
the Irish agriculture department would be far different than general
importation.

Show the officials the article in ABJ (Aug. 2002  pg. 591) about the
quarantine procedure the U.S. uses.

Settle for  your agriculture department simply requesting information from
the U.S.D.A. at the start.

Explain that if the two lines being given the U.S. beekeepers prove
successful then illegal importations to Ireland of queens will surely take
place.

 Far better for the Irish government to provide the Irish beekeepers with
the tools they need to fight varroa instead of risking illegal importations.

Usually Takes several years to change minds.  Once you get over half those
in power on board things will happen fast. Good luck!

Bob