asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the increased cross-border traffic, and of the fact that there is only one approved road on the Donegal/Tyrone border, and of the closing down of the Londonderry-Portadown section of the railway, he will make representations to the British Government to have the roads at Kilcrean, Castlefin and Castlederg declared approved roads for non-merchandise traffic.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Border Approved Roads.
18.
In reply to a question by the Deputy on 16th July last, I promised to have this matter of approval of the Castlederg-Castlefin road fully examined. In the meantime a detailed review of the position has been made and I am satisfied that the potential traffic would not justify the cost of establishing and maintaining a special customs frontier post.
Accordingly, the question of representations to the British Government does not arise.
Is the Minister aware that in connection with another such road, representations were made to him and that to this day those who made the representations have not received any reply but the Newry urban council have received a communication from the Minister? Would the Minister take precautions to ensure that, when representations are made by members of this House and by citizens of the Republic, these representations receive the same consideration?
I am sorry that should have occurred. I do not know what happened.
I am bound to say I assumed no decision had been reached until I read in the local paper of a protest by a body of local people who had been informed by the Newry urban council that they had heard from the Minister. I was prepared to wait until I heard from the Minister that a decision has been reached.