Vol. 388 No. 9
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the escalation of the bombing campaign directed at the railway services crossing the Border; to the threat of permanent severance of this vital link between North and South; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
47.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the increasing delays in clearing the railway line at Kilnassagart Bridge on the South Armagh border following bombing raids by the IRA; and if such delays constitute a change of policy by the British Army.
I will take Questions Nos. 45 and 47 together.
My Department have maintained close contact with the British authorities on this matter and I have raised it personally with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Delays in re-opening the line have been due to the suspected presence of secondary devices. One such device in fact exploded, causing injury to a British Army explosives officer on 17 February. I can assure Deputies that the British authorities are strongly aware of the importance of keeping the line open and safe for travel.
I am sure that all Members of the House will join me in condemning in the strongest possible terms the series of explosions on, and bomb threats to, the Dublin to Belfast railway line which have occurred since last December.
