asked the Minister for External Affairs the number of incursions by units of the British Army across the Border since July, 1969 in respect of which representations were made to the British Government; and if he is satisfied with the steps being taken by the British authorities to prevent like happenings in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Army Border Incursions.
14.
Since July, 1969, 20 Border infringements were reported to me by the Departments of Justice and Defence. Many of these infringements were of a technical nature but nevertheless representations were made to the British authorities in respect of all of them. I was assured that these infringements were accidental and that stringent instructions had been reissued to British troops. Expressions of regret were received.
I wonder would the Minister be good enough to distinguish for us the difference between technical and non-technical interference?
They were all accidental but I would want to make up my own mind on the description given here. Some were due to faulty map reading but they were all accidental. I suppose a technical breach would be a very minimal crossing of the Border, which is not visible, as the Deputy knows.
The Minister is satisfied that we were not invaded at any time?
One of our villages was nearly seen the last time.
Would the Minister not agree that it would be preferable in future to satisfy his own mind about his own classifications and descriptions before giving them to the House?
I do not think that the definition counts. The fact is there were 20 infringements, which annoyed me greatly and I think they are dangerous. I do not in any way pretend to be explaining the British position when I relate their answer. Usually when someone says it is a technical error it is a dismissive description of a slight breach of something. However, I must say that I deplore this and every time it happens I feel badly about it. I think it is dangerous but it has been explained on the basis that different units come to the area in rotation and are not aware of when they are crossing the Border.
Would the Minister not emphasise that they should only send units to the Border who are capable of reading maps?
Is the Minister satisfied that there was no deliberate attempt to break the boundary between here and the Six Counties by a British unit? That is the thing which is really interesting, not whether or not somebody by mistake rambled across. As I said here last week units of our Army went across the Border on numerous occasions and I was present on a number of such occasions and we were able to read maps just as well as anybody else.
That was during the emergency when there were no road signs.
A Border which can be so easily crossed should go.
We all agree on that.
Agreed.