Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 2

Written Answers. - Border Security Compounds.

Patrick D. Harte

Question:

146 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the construction of enormous and over elaborate security compounds along the Border by the British security forces which are being seen by cross-Border travellers as a very unfriendly act against the Irish Government and as a vote of no confidence in Border security arrangements and rejection of the general internal security policy of the Irish Government; if the British Government are entitled to construct such elaborate compounds and close the Border under the 1920 Act; if the unfriendly action of the British Government in doing these things without consultation with the Irish Government is in keeping with the spirit of co-operation and good neighbourliness as agreed and envisaged in the Anglo-Irish Agreement; if such action on the part of Westminster is in keeping with the Treaty of European Union as signed at Maastricht on 7 February 1992, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Patrick D. Harte

Question:

147 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the continued construction of Border crossing compounds widely perceived by important persons in our security forces to have a negative and counterproductive effect, he will as a matter of urgency speak with the British Prime Minister to review the programme with a view to removing the negative aspects while maintaining good security arrangements and total co-operation between the security forces on both sides of the Border which is necessary to defeat subversion, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.

I am aware of the construction work which is being carried out on British Army permanent vehicle checkpoints along the Border. I understand that the work will be confined to locations at or near existing permanent vehicle checkpoints.

Issues arising from the operation of permanent vehicle checkpoints have been raised on several occasions with the British authorities through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat in Belfast and at meetings of the Inter-Governmental Conference. The Deputy will understand that the details of these exchanges are confidential. I can however confirm that, while the Government appreciate the need for the British authorities to undertake appropriate security measures on their side of the Border, we have emphasised that every effort should be made by them to keep the inconvenience caused by these measures to the absolute minimum. I understand that the work which is currently being carried out will,inter alia, make provision for new traffic arrangements at the checkpoints so as to improve traffic flow and reduce delays.

I do not accept the Deputy's assertion that the work being undertaken represents a criticism of the Government's efforts with regard to cross-Border security co-operation. Cross-Border security co-operation arrangements are working well and this has been acknowledged publicly and repeatedly by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the British Prime Minister.