Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Jul 1983

Vol. 344 No. 9

Written Answers. - Border Road Closures.

304.

Mr. Blaney

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that County Leitrim has had no direct road since 1974 linking it with County Fermanagh, due to the fact that two such roads near Kiltyclogher were blocked by the British Army and that the Garda Síochána maintain a round-the-clock permanent security control on these roads, he will press the British authorities with a view to having at least one of these roads reopened to traffic, thus reducing hardship on persons travelling between the two counties.

305.

Mr. MacSharry

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to have all Border roads reopened in County Leitrim.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. P. Barry)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 305 together.

I am fully aware of the difficulties caused to local residents in border areas as a result of road closures. The decision to close the cross-Border roads to County Leitrim including Kiltyclogher was taken by the British authorities on the basis of security considerations as they saw them and the roads can only be reopened with their agreement. My Department recently raised the question of reopening the roads to County Leitrim with the British authorities but their position is that for the present these roads will remain closed.

While the decision whether or not to reopen the roads is ultimately a matter for the British authorities, I will keep the matter under continuous review and will impress upon them the need to have roads reopened as soon as security considerations allow.