As I indicated in a reply to a question on this matter on 26 March 1996, Donegal County Council completed the reopening of the portion of the road in question in this jurisdiction in early 1995.
On my instructions, the matter of reopening that portion which lies in Northern Ireland was raised through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat. I was informed that the delay in its reopening had occurred due to the wish of the landowner in question not to reopen this laneway and I understand that there were contacts regarding this crossing involving the British authorities, Derry City Council and the landowner. We were advised through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat at the time that it was hoped to have bollards obstructing it removed and the crossing reopened within a few weeks.
I have pursued the matter through the Secretariat and I am pleased to report that the crossing in question was in fact reopened on 7 May 1996.
As regards the broader issue of re-opening Border crossings, the ongoing programme of reopenings in operation in both jurisdictions since the announcement of the lifting of all Border road closure orders in mid-October 1994 continues to make good progress. The most recent information to hand indicates that this project is now almost 95 per cent complete. I hope to see the remaining work completed as soon as possible.
