andMr. Faulkner asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will press for the withdrawal of the British army checkpoint from the main road between Omeath, County Louth and Newry, County Down.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Army Checkpoint.
27.
The British authorities have been requested on a number of occasions to ensure that the inconvenience caused to traffic by the presence on this road of a British vehicle checkpoint be minimised. The checkpoint is, however, considered necessary for the security of the area and there is, therefore, no question of asking for its withdrawal.
Is the Minister aware that it is possible for anybody to travel from Dublin to Newry by the main arterial road without having to pass through a checkpoint but that on the road from Omeath to Newry there have been checkpoints for the past five years? There was some excuse until two years ago—they could say the entrance to Newry was being guarded—but that road has been closed for the past two years because of the opening of the new factory. There is no excuse, therefore, for the checkpoint to be there other than to cause complete annoyance to the people of Omeath. Is the Minister aware that there is absolutely no excuse for them being there now, when there is no need for a checkpoint on the main road?
Our authorities regard a checkpoint on that road as being useful from the point of view of security in the area.
It may have been useful for the first three years because they could claim that the Canal Lock could have been blown up, as it was blown up in the fifth year. But, as the canal is not now used by anybody, they should not have——
But we have security concerns which go beyond the Newry Canal and the checkpoint at that point is regarded by us as being useful.
Eighteen months ago the British cratered the Flagstaff Road and blocked it, when there was an outcry by the local people. The Minister for Defence was able to arrange that they leave there and an Irish Army checkpoint was put up on that road. Why cannot there be an Irish Army checkpoint on the other road?
We have undertaken a checkpoint on the Flagstaff Road. A certain sharing of responsibilities in these matters is necessary. If we sought to substitute an Irish Army checkpoint for the British one, it would mean tying down additional security personnel who could be more usefully deployed elsewhere in view of the situation on the Border. There is no reason to believe that the degree of delay caused by our checkpoint would be significantly different from that of the British checkpoint. In fact, the position is that the Flagstaff Road, which involves a fairly small deviation, is available to people who prefer to pass through an Irish rather than a British checkpoint. The arrangements we have made in the area are designed to secure maximum security and to minimise inconvenience.
Is the Minister aware that people in the Omeath area are convinced that this checkpoint is simply retained as a deliberate provocation, that as Deputy Farrell has stated it is possible, without any difficulty, to go on to the Newry to Dundalk road, to Ballymascanlon, turn off to Omeath, ande reach Omeath, without having any checkpoint on that road?
I am not aware that people so regard it. On the contrary, the presence of these checkpoints is, I think, regarded by many people as a reassurance while also being a very net inconvenience to people because of delays that are involved passing through them. But I think the general view—and certainly the security view— is that the presence of checkpoints, whatever inconvenience they may cause, are of net benefit to the preservation of life on both sides of the Border.
I have informed the Minister as to what is the general opinion, whatever the security forces may think of it. Is the Minister aware that the fact that his checkpoint is there and the slowness with which traffic is allowed to proceed through it have damaged the tourist potential in the Omeath area to such an extent that it is almost non-existent?
The damage to tourism in Border areas derives from a more fundamental cause than the presence of checkpoints. Checkpoints are necessary because of the security situation. We are aware of the problems caused by delay and have frequently urged that improvements be made to ensure that people can pass through more quickly. This has been a problem at several points along the Border where checkpoints have been operated. We have sought to ensure adequate provision to speed up the process of people passing through.
Deputy Faulkner, a final supplementary.
Is the Minister aware that this particular area has had a very considerable number of tourists from the North of Ireland coming there over the years and that, because this particular checkpoint is there, people who usually frequented that beautiful area no longer do so because they do not feel it is a very wise thing to go there and have to travel back through that checkpoint at night?
I am sure the presence of checkpoints must be a deterrent to a certain number of voluntary travellers. It is unfortunate that that should be the case but the absence of checkpoints would create a feeling of insecurity which would be even more damaging than the possibility of damage to tourism.
Would the Minister not consider Deputy Farrell's suggestion that an Irish checkpoint be set up as was done in the other case with reasonable success?
This is a question which must be left to the security authorities. They must decide in what proportion of cases that solution is appropriate. Of course, if it were extended generally it would tie down our security forces to a point where they could not carry out their patrolling duties successfully. Therefore, a balance has to be maintained between the checkpoints provided on either side of the Border.
Would the Minister have discussions with his colleagues, the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Defence as to what might be done in that area?
I am aware of the views of our security authorities on this matter. I will certainly draw to the attention of the two Ministers concerned the comments of Deputies Faulkner and Farrell.
Before proceeding to official business, may I say that on the Order of Business——
May I suggest that, as there are only two questions outstanding, they be taken.
Question No. 28.