asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the deep anxiety in Border areas and widespread public resentment at the growing number of incursions by the British security forces into the territory of this State, he will make a statement on what action he has taken in relation to the latest incidents and what measures the Government are taking to bring them to an end.
Private Notice Questions. - Cross-Border Incursions.
I have taken the opportunity of yesterday's meeting of the Anglo-Irish Conference to have a very frank and very useful discussion with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Mr. King, about incursions by members of the Northern security forces. I made clear that the Government view all incursions with the most serious concern and I sought action on the British side to ensure against recurrence.
Mr. King regretted the incursions which had taken place. He confirmed that all soldiers serving in Northern Ireland are given clear instructions that incursions are not permitted and that the greatest care should be taken to avoid even accidental crossings of the Border. Mr. King assured me that special briefings are given to regiments when they arrive and that regular reminders are issued.
In the light of recent incursions, the standing instructions to soldiers will be re-emphasised. It has also been agreed that urgent discussions will take place in the Secretariat to discuss what further action can be taken to avoid incursions in the future.
Incursions are simply not acceptable, but let me add that we need to bear in mind the background of these incursions, namely, the campaign of murder and destruction in the Border area and the difficulty for the Northern security forces of patrolling a frequently unclear Border under constant threat of death.
I am glad to note that the Minister raised the matter at the meeting yesterday. I know the Minister would agree with me that there is all the difference in the world between inadvertent strayings across the Border by, perhaps, newly arrived soldiers or inexperienced troops. Is the Minister satisfied, however, that that was the case in this instance? Is he aware in relation to the incursion near Glassdrummond that the British Army Press Office described it as a "hot pursuit" military operation? Would the Minister care to indicate what information he has about that aspect for the benefit of the House?
There were a series of explosions from a mortar-type weapon on the afternoon in question. There was an effort made to apprehend people — this is, so far, an unconfirmed report I have — who drove away in two cars. It appears the soldier in question was not fully aware of the precise place where the Border was and he was apprehended under a citizen's arrest by two members of a family on the farm where he was on at that moment who turned him over to the Garda Síochána. They, in turn, took him to Dundalk where the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that a file should be prepared and the soldier in question should be released if an assurance was given if he would appear again, if necessary, at a trial. Beyond that I have no further details. It certainly was not, as far as I know, a hot pursuit in the sense of a deliberate crossing of the Border to proved otherwise during any trial.
Could the Minister confirm that the standing practice in this regard is still being adhered to, namely that the contact in cross-Border security operations is between police force and police force? There seems to be some indication that in this incident there was communication between the British Army and the Garda. It is an important point and I should be grateful if the Minister would indicate that the former practice is still being followed through. I wish to ask also about the new military observation posts which have been placed by the British authorities very close to the Border. Is the Minister aware that these are causing a great deal of anger and disquiet on both sides of the Border, especially among small farmers on the northern side of the Border who have been very rudely and arrogantly displaced? Is he aware also that the implications of these observation posts for people on our side of the Border are somewhat intimidatory? Can the Minister give any information or reassurance about these new posts and say whether he or the Government or the Garda were aware of their establishment and the purposes of them?
I can confirm that the practice of communication between the security forces is RUC to Garda. Regarding the second point about the observation posts in south Armagh, I met a deputation of small farmers from that area who were brought to see me by the Deputy Leader of the SDLP, Mr. Séamus Mallon, and they strongly expressed to me their concern about these posts. That concern was conveyed to the British Government through the secretariat established under the Anglo-Irish Agreement. On the Deputy's third question, I had no prior notice of the erection of these posts.
Does the Minister agree that while cross-Border co-operation in security matters is important, it is equally important that incursions by British military personnel across the Border should be totally prevented in so far as possible? All those who would favour cross-Border security co-operations would nevertheless have grievous doubts about incursions by British military personnel into the territory of the State and there are widespread feelings of resentment and animosity about such incursions. Whereas in the normal course of events it is difficult to prevent accidental strayings across, the general public here would like to be fully assured that any incursions in future would be restricted to such accidental crossings.
They should never be otherwise than accidental. I said yesterday and previously and repeated in my reply today that incursions are simply not acceptable. That is the Government's view. I understand, of course, that there are occasions when they take place in error. The Secretary of State expressed his regret for the incursion that had taken place and undertook to reconfirm instructions given to troops in Northern Ireland about the necessity strictly to observe the Border.
Could I ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to confirm that the three British soldiers who crossed the Border and attempted to break and enter the house in question assaulted the individual who executed a citizen's arrest on the soldier in the farmyard before gardaí arrived?
I cannot either confirm or deny. My information is that only one soldier came across the Border and that he was handed over to the Garda. There may be a case pending, as the Director of Public Prosecutions decides.
Will the Minister confirm to the House that the soldiers in question will be prosecuted for the offence?
It is not a matter for me. It is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions.