Vol. 407 No. 9
91 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is not one road open to the public between the counties of Leitrim and Fermanagh; if the closure of the roads have been agreed to by his Department; if his attention has further been drawn to the negative impact on the economic and social life of County Leitrim which the closure of these roads is imposing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
92 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether 13 road crossings between Counties Leitrim and Fermanagh have been closed and that there is now no road crossing between these two counties; and if he will outline the steps he proposes to take to deal with this situation.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together.
I am fully conscious of the serious social and economic hardship and inconvenience which has been caused to the people of counties Leitrim and Fermanagh by the closure of cross-Border roads in their area.
The general question of cross-Border road closures, and the particular difficulties they create for the people in the region, have been repeatedly raised with the British authorities through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat in Belfast. The issue has in addition been discussed at several meetings of the Anglo-Irish Inter-governmental Conference, including at the most recent conference meeting which was held in London on 26 April. Deputies can be assured that all aspects of this important issue will continue to be kept under active review in the Anglo-Irish Secretariat.
