Cecilia Keaveney
Question:64 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the re-opening of a Border crossing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3435/01]
Written Answers. - Nothern Ireland Issues.
I am grateful for the Deputy's continued interest in this issue and fully appreciate the concerns of local residents in Muff, County Donegal that the section of Canning's Lane, which lies in Northern Ireland, has not yet been fully re-opened.
As I outlined in my reply to the Deputy's question on the same issue on 3 October last, the problem of re-opening the road on the Derry side of the Border is the subject of ongoing dialogue between Derry City Council, the Northern Ireland Department of Regional Development and the landowner in question.
Derry City Council has endeavoured to use a private streets order to adopt the relevant section of Canning's Lane, which I understand is technically a private road. To facilitate this the council is apparently willing to forego its usual practice of requiring the landowner to bring the road up to public standard and has agreed to carry out the improvement works itself. However, the landowner's consent is required and regrettably this has not been forthcoming to date. Nevertheless, I understand that efforts are still being made to resolve the matter.
I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department will maintain contact with the appropriate Northern Ireland authorities in regard to this matter and will continue to express our interest in having this cross-Border road fully re-opened.