andMr. Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will take steps to have the Flagstaff cross-Border road near Omeath, County Louth re-opened.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Border Road.
22.
Many road users had taken to using the Flagstaff road, as a result of long delays in traffic on the main Omeath-Newry road. These delays were in the main attributable to the insufficient number of troops assigned to the control point on the Northern side. To prevent circumvention of the main road, the British authorities closed the Flagstaff road despite our objections to this course.
To alleviate the situation, we have been continuing contact with the British and I have now been assured that the British Army has found it possible to increase the number of soldiers manning the control point on the main road. As a result of this the delays which have been experienced on this road can now be expected to be reduced.
The British authorities have also agreed, as a result of our contacts with them, to reopen the Flagstaff road on which we will maintain a vehicle control point.
Is the Minister aware that the closing of this road has had very serious repercussions on an already hard-pressed tourist industry in Omeath?
I am aware that it had very serious repercussions and that is why we took vigorous measures to bring this to the attention of the British authorities and to secure an early and satisfactory solution of the problem posed.
I am sure that the Minister is also aware that only about 12 vehicles per hour pass through the checkpoint on the main Newry-Omeath road and that the speed at which traffic moves through this checkpoint depends on the whim of the British military authorities. Will the Minister ensure, in his discussions in relation to this matter, that the number of vehicles through the checkpoint will be considerably speeded up?
Yes, the Deputy can be assured of that. The rate of flow through that checkpoint was such as completely to impede normal movement and we regard it as very important that it be settled. We have successfully taken the matter up with the British authorities and they have agreed to provide increased numbers of troops to man that checkpoint so that there will be a free and rapid flow of traffic. We hope that this will resolve the problem on the main road and that at the same time the Flagstaff road will be re-opened.
May we take it then that there will be a free flow of traffic on the Flagstaff road?
The Deputy will appreciate that this depends a good deal on the amount of traffic diverted. There was one day recently when 1,000 vehicles used the Flagstaff road because of the impediment to the free flow of traffic on the main road. Our concern has been to get the traffic on the main road flowing freely so that there is not abnormal traffic on the Flagstaff road and to get the Flagstaff road re-opened. We would ourselves keep any necessary check on the traffic there and the British will withdraw their intervention on the Flagstaff road.
Is the Minister aware that on last Thursday night the road was reopened by the local people and that on Sunday morning the British came and blocked it again? They have mounted patrols and sentries on that road and have used a motor car to block the road since Sunday. They will not allow anyone through. The local people believe that this was all done because of jealousy because, as is well known to everyone from the area, Omeath has depended largely for a livelihood on business from the Six Counties. This road has been blocked again deliberately by the British.
I am aware of a number of the facts the Deputy has mentioned though I am not aware of the particular motivation he mentions. I think the problem arose because the inadequacy of the number of troops provided on the main road led to enormous delays and forced people on to the Flagstaff road and that led to a flow of traffic there which the British authorities were concerned about and they then imposed a barrier there. We regard that as a totally unsatisfactory way of dealing with the matter and we have, in discussions with them, arrived at a solution which, I think, if all goes well, should be fully satisfactory.
May I ask one final supplementary?
It must be a final supplementary.
Can the Minister state when it is proposed to reopen the Flagstaff road?
I think immediately. I do not think there is any delay on this but it may take a little time to remove the barriers that are there and get the new method working but it should be virtually immediately.
Questions Nos. 23 and 24 post-poned.