asked the Taoiseach the number of occasions on which British troops crossed the Border since August 1969.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Border Infringements.
5.
There are 40 confirmed incidents of incursions by British troops across the Border since August, 1969.
6.
asked the Taoiseach the explanation given by the British Government for the behaviour of their troops south of the Border at Castleblayney, County Monaghan on 19th October, 1971.
I referred to this incident in my statement in Dáil Éireann on the 20th October. The British reply to the protest made by us suggests that there is a conflict of evidence. We are satisfied, however, that the incident took place in the manner described by me in Dáil Éireann and we remain in communication with the British authorities in the matter.
Could I ask the Taoiseach what instructions have been issued to our Irish Army for dealing with such an incursion as the one at Castleblayney which was mentioned here by the Taoiseach, by a British patrol taking up offensive positions on this side?
On this occasion there was not a member of the Army present but a garda observed the positions of the British troops from a distance. He immediately reported it and the incursion was complained of at the earliest possible moment after that.
Could I ask the Taoiseach what instructions the Irish Army have for dealing with foreign troops on this side——
This appears to be a separate question.
The Army instructions are very specific matters. I would prefer the Deputy to ask a separate question on that.
Could the Taoiseach say whether the incursions referred to were accidental or deliberate?
I think that many of the 40 incidents to which I referred in the reply to Question No. 5 were, perhaps, accidental. Some were deliberate.
(Cavan): Would the Taoiseach consider marking the Border roads clearly “Republic of Ireland”?
(Interruptions.)
Have you given up all claim to it now?
Either we want incidents or we do not.
(Cavan): It is alleged that some of these incursions have been accidental. Would the Taoiseach agree that, if the roads were clearly marked, that excuse would not be available in future?
I should imagine that people who are trained in topography, as one would expect army personnel to be, would not need signposts to indicate the Border between this part of the country and the other.
They should not, but they obviously do.
Arising from the supplementary reply implying that some of the incursions across the Border were not accidental and, therefore, must be assumed to be deliberate, could the Taoiseach further elaborate on the deliberate incursions of the British Army across the Border, when they occurred, and why?
The Deputy will require to ask another question about that. The one I indicated in the House last week appeared to me to be deliberate and it appeared to be a supporting movement for the cratering of roads. There have been one or two of these incidents.