asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an incursion by British troops took place at Tyholland, County Monaghan, on Thursday, 5 April 1984; if he has taken any action; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Border Incursion.
11.
On 5 April 1984 members of a British Army patrol crossed the border at Tyholland, County Monaghan, and approached the customs post 50 yards from the Border. When it was pointed out to them by a customs officer that they had crossed the Border, they returned to the Northern side.
The British authorities have expressed regret.
Would the Minister agree that this was a very serious incursion, since it took place at a customs post? On many other occasions the excuse was that the markings were not distinguishable but here they crossed at a customs post.
I accept entirely what the Deputy says. This was an incident of which we took very serious note.
Would the Minister not agree that it shows a complete disrespect for our customs officers that they should simply thumb their noses at the authorities and the customs officials at the posts?
I agree that it was as described by the Deputy. For that reason a serious view was taken by my Department.
Was it the Government who made representations to the British Government concerning this incursion? If so, in what way does the incursion into Irish territory differ from the breach of the sovereignty of Nicaragua by the US?
That seems to be argument.
It is.
Throw in Afghanistan as well.
Matters relating to our own sovereignty might have greater priority. A protest was made and the British authorities have expressed regret.
Can the Minister of State say what assurances he has received from the British authorities that such incursions will not recur?
We are assured by the British authorities that what is determined as appropriate action has been taken by the authorities in respect of the personnel concerned and that this action has been particularly designed to ensure that the personnel in question — and, indeed, any other personnel of the forces there — would not repeat such an infringement. Obviously, we are concerned to ensure that there would not be a repetition. We have made this very clear to the British authorities. They understand our concern and have given us every assurance in this regard.
Would the Minister of State not agree that this is typical of the answers which have been received from the British Government over a number of years when such incidents occurred, that, in itself, it does not hold any assurance whatsoever that it will not happen again and that we can expect a repeat of that type of answer the next time and the time after that?
The Deputy is aware from his own time in office of the history of such incidents. Because of our desire to ensure that there would not be any repetition, when any such incident arises we take an extremely serious view of it and voice our serious concern to the British authorities, seeking an expression of regret from them and a commitment to preventing a recurrence.
May I ask the Minister of State on how many occasions previously have similar undertakings been given by the British Government in relation to incursions of this nature and what grounds, if any, he has for believing that the assurances now given can be believed, any more than the previous assurances?
The Deputy may misunderstand me. What I am saying is that because, as mentioned by Deputy Collins, there have been previous incidents, we viewed this particular incident with such concern and took the steps which we did with the British authorities. I am not totally certain as to the number of these incidents which have occurred in the past but there have been encroachments. I view such incidents very seriously and took the steps as outlined by me.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.
With the permission of the Chair, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 583 of 2 May 1984, due to the urgency of the matter and the unsatisfactory reply given to the question on that date.
The Chair will communicate with Deputy O'Leary.