asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will make a statement about the arrival of 21 British soldiers on the British Rail ferry at Dún Laoghaire on July 22nd, 1970.
12.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Soldiers at Dún Laoghaire.
11.
asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he has investigated the arrival at Dún Laoghaire of 21 fully equipped and armed British soldiers; if he will make a statement on the matter; and what steps he is taking to prevent a recurrence.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
I have investigated the matter. The arrival of the party of British soldiers at Dún Laoghaire arose out of a mix-up in travel arrangements at Heysham. Some hours before the Cambria docked at Dún Laoghaire we received word of this mix-up from the British authorities. The soldiers, who were in civilian dress and unarmed, remained aboard until the ship returned to Heysham.
Had they landed would they have been looked upon as invaders?
That is a separate question.
A hypothetical question.
Has the Minister had an apology at all from the British?
I think the Deputy should know these people were in civilian dress and unarmed and he need not worry too much.
The ship was searched from stem to stern.
There was a bomb scare afterwards. We had to search the Dáil one night.