Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 6

Written Answers. - County Cavan Road Closure.

Brendan Smith

Question:

85 Mr. B. Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will protest in the strongest possible manner to the British Government about the continued inconvenience caused to two elderly ladies (details supplied) in County Cavan which resulted in these people being denied access to their home on Friday evening and Saturday morning, 11th and 12th June 1993, as a result of the British Army placing a barrier on the cul de sac road leading to their home on the Cavan/Fermanagh border.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I am fully aware of the circumstances of the incident of 11 and 12 June to which the Deputy refers and of the on-going difficulties caused to the two elderly ladies by the placing of security barriers on the road leading to their home. I can confirm that I have conveyed my concerns about this matter to the British authorities through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat in Belfast, and I have emphasised to them the urgent need for measures to be taken to alleviate the situation. In raising this matter with the British authorities I have drawn attention to assurances previously given in this regard and have asked that all necessary steps be taken to ensure that incidents such as the one which occurred on 11 and 12 June do not recur.