Vol. 565 No. 1
169 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to an incursion into County Monaghan by a British army helicopter on 3 April between 12 p.m. and 1.30 p.m.; and his views on whether this is further evidence of the need to demilitarise the Border area. [10131/03]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government regards unauthorised incursions by British security forces into the State as a serious matter. On each occasion when such an incident is reported to my Department, the matter is raised with the British Government.
I have therefore asked that this matter be raised with the British authorities through the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat. I would be grateful to receive any further details which the Deputy may have regarding this incident.
The Government has continually stressed that all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement need to be implemented fully, including swift and ongoing movement towards full security normalisation throughout Northern Ireland. Under the Agreement, normalisation involves a reduction of the numbers and role of the security forces deployed in Northern Ireland to levels compatible with a normal peaceful society, as well as the removal of security installations.
To date, some 40 military installations have been closed, vacated or demolished since February 1995, troops have been withdrawn from ten police stations and troop levels overall have been reduced by circa 3,500 to 14,000.
Some 57 military installations remain in operation at the present time. Over the past number of months, both Governments have been seeking to secure "acts of completion" in regard to all aspects of the Agreement. In this context, the complete normalisation of security arrangements has been a key part of the intensive discussions between both Governments and the political parties. Tomorrow the Taoiseach and Prime Minister present their proposals covering all outstanding aspects of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
Questions Nos. 170 answered with Question No. 167.
