Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 Oct 1997

Vol. 482 No. 2

Adjournment Debate. - British Army Lookout Towers.

Mr. Kirk

I thank you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, for allowing me to raise the issue of British Army lookout towers which has been a major irritant along the Armagh/Louth Border for many years. In the context of the ongoing peace talks and the ceasefire, many people North and South are anxious that consideration be given to commencing to dismantle those posts. There are a significant number of posts along the Border and apart from their serious impact on the beautiful landscape of south Armagh a number of more practical considerations must be addressed.

I visited a number of these posts to see the impact they have had on farm fences. There has been a serious breakdown in stock-proofing, which is happening cheek by jowl with outbreaks of TB and other diseases among the national herd. Our Department of Agriculture and Food, in common with its counterpart in Northern Ireland, advise that stock-proof fences are the first requisite for ensuring that some degree of control might be exercised on the spread of TB.

The very presence of the lookout posts is symbolic of the domination of the local community. Many of them are quite close to the Border, the closest being near Crossmaglen. The local people are anxious that the posts be removed, as was shown at a public meeting last Sunday. It is mainly farmers who are affected by the posts. If the Northern Ireland Office considered indicating that the posts would be dismantled or announced a date for beginning that work, it would do wonders for community relations in the area and would be a significant gesture in the context of the ongoing peace talks.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I am grateful to the Deputy for raising this important issue and I assure him that the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference has, on a regular basis, raised the impact of these conspicuous military installations in south Armagh and the attitude of the local communities to their presence, that is, the farming community and the gnáth daoine who have an interest in the matter. Clearly the context in which these discussions have taken place has changed significantly with the restoration of the IRA ceasefire. The overall security situation, given that restoration and the continuing loyalist ceasefire, now offers enormous potential for significant changes in the manner in which the security forces in Northern Ireland operate, and also in the long-term future of the facilities they use in support of their operations.

Deputy Kirk will recall that, in establishing the International Body in November 1995 to provide an independent assessment of the decommissioning issue, both Governments reaffirmed their willingness to continue to take responsive measures, advised by their respective security authorities, as the security threat reduced. Such responsive measures can contribute in a most important way to confidence-building and to the creation of an enhanced climate of trust. The reduction in the profile of the security forces generally, for instance by dismantling installations such as observation towers, would represent a visible, very meaningful expression of the new climate of peace now obtaining in Northern Ireland and could only be conducive to creating an even better climate for the talks process.

I am very well aware of the depth of feeling within the communities on both sides of the Border with regard to these installations. It was reflected in the recent rally organised by the South Armagh Farmers' and Residents' Committee. Concerns have been expressed consistently by my Department over the years about the intrusion of these wretched towers, the related fear of the invasion of privacy and the possible health risks arising from surveillance equipment. It is important the feelings of the community are brought home to the two Governments. This Government is well aware of the problems the Deputy has raised. I pay the warmest tribute to him for his work in that regard.

I anticipate this matter might well arise as part of the discussions of the special Subcommittee on Confidence Building Measures established as part of the talks process. I would certainly welcome such a discussion within that important committee. I reassure the Deputy I and my Department, through the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, are actively pursuing, and will continue to pursue, this issue in coming months with a view to ensuring that such installations and the military activities associated with them are de-escalated in line with the new security position. In addition I ask the Deputy to continue to remind me of this significant matter warranting urgent attention.