asked the Taoiseach the number of incursions made across the border by the British army since August, 1969; the dates on which they occurred; and the estimated cost of damage caused by the British army on these occasions.
3.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Border Damage.
2.
asked the Taoiseach the estimated cost of repairing damage caused by British troops to roadways and bridges in or connected to the territory of this State in the past month; and whether a demand has been or will be made on the British Government for the cost thereof.
4.
asked the Taoiseach the number of times that British army aircraft have crossed the border since August, 1969.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 3 and 4 together.
Forty known ground incursions have been made across the border by British troops from August, 1969 to 31st October, 1971. The dates and locations of these incursions are given in a statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I am circulating with the Official Report. There have been 17 confirmed overflights of the border by British military aircraft in the same period. Physical damage caused by incursions has not been significant. However, in the case of cross-border bridges blown up the question of the cost of repairing them will arise when routes are reopened to traffic.
The statement is as follows:
|
Date |
Place of incursion |
|
1970 |
|
|
1. April 15th |
Bunnamayne, County Donegal. |
|
2. May 24th |
Nr. Clontibret, County Monaghan. |
|
3. May 26th |
Pullans, County Monaghan. |
|
4. June 2nd |
Dungooley, County Louth. |
|
5. July 3rd |
Nr. Dromad, County Louth. |
|
6. July 9th |
Drumvilla, County Louth. |
|
7. July 9th |
Nr. Scotstown (Gortawee, County Cavan). |
|
8. July 9th |
Ballinacargy Bridge, County Monaghan. |
|
9. July 10th |
Gortnawinney, Clones, County Monaghan. |
|
10. July 14th |
Gortawee, Scotstown, County Cavan. |
|
11. July 16th |
Courtbane, Hackballscross, County Louth. |
|
12. July 22nd |
Laghtykelly, Nr. Belturbet, County Cavan. |
|
13. July 29th |
(Curragunt), Corrinshigo, Scotstown, County Monaghan. |
|
14. August 17th |
Dromad, County Louth (road leading to Jonesboro', County Armagh). |
|
15. August 30th |
Nr. Castlefin, County Donegal. |
|
16. September 15th |
Scotstown, Ballyconnell, County Cavan. |
|
17. September 26th |
Drumbane, Castlefin, County Donegal. |
|
18. September 27th |
,,,,,,,, |
|
19. September 28th |
,,,,,,,, |
|
20. October 1st |
Kilclean, County Donegal. |
|
21. October 4th |
Drumbane, Castlefin, County Donegal. |
|
22. January 13th |
Nr. Blacklion, County Cavan. |
|
23. January 15th |
Clarebane (Longfield), Castleblayney, County Monaghan. |
|
24. January 24th |
Kiltybegs, County Monaghan. |
|
25. January 25th |
Hawkswood, Swanlinbar, County Cavan. |
|
26. January 28th |
Scotstown, County Monaghan. |
|
27. February 13th |
Nr. Longfield, Castleblayney, County Monaghan. |
|
28. February 19th |
Blacklion, County Cavan. |
|
29. May 2nd |
Edentubber, County Louth. |
|
30. May 3rd |
Drumgallon, County Monaghan. |
|
31. July 10th |
Drumvilla, County Louth. |
|
32. August 14th |
Cornamuchlagh, County Louth. |
|
33. August 29th |
Courtbane, County Louth. |
|
34. October 13th |
Edentubber, Dromad, County Louth. |
|
35. October 14th |
Rough Hill, County Monaghan. |
|
36. October 17th |
Shellagh, Hackballscross, County Louth. |
|
37. October 19th |
Tullyrahan, Castleblayney, County Monaghan. |
|
38. October 20th |
Munnilly, Clones, County Monaghan. |
|
39. October 22nd |
Longfield, Castleblayney, County Monaghan. |
|
40. October 31st |
Dungooley Cross, County Louth. |
Would the Taoiseach say what is the position where a local authority on the southern side of the Border has, by agreement, responsibility for the maintenance and repair of a particular bridge which straddles a river dividing the two territories? If such local authority now proceeds to reinstate the bridge in accordance with its obligations, may it do so and may it recover the cost from the local authority on the other side?
That is a rather detailed administrational and legal problem, I should say, and I should prefer if the Deputy would wait until such time as a practical proposition comes up.
Could the Taoiseach say whether it would be open to the local authority to make a malicious injury claim against the neighbouring local authority particularly if the neighbouring local authority has been responsible for or has in any way facilitated the destruction of the bridge in question?
If I were a member of the local authority I would urge such a course but I am not a practising lawyer now as the Deputy is and he might have more up-to-date knowledge of the matter.
Would the Taoiseach say how far south British aircraft have come over the Border since 31st October?
I could not give details in terms of mileage to any close degree. Most of these were incursions only to a limited extent across the Border.
Could the Taoiseach elaborate further upon those which were not mild incursions across the Border, inferring that aircraft have, in fact, come well beyond the Border?
I fear I could not elaborate further unless the Deputy had a specific instance on which he would like information.
Have any of the British aircraft which have come south of the Border infringed air traffic regulations?
I think there was one such instance in which there was an infringement of air traffic regulations.
Would the Taoiseach please state the case, the date on which it occurred, and what exactly happened, and, if civilian air traffic was disrupted, why it was disrupted and what steps has he taken?
I have not suggested that civil aviation was disrupted but the particular incident to which I am referring is now being investigated. It occurred only a short time ago.
Arising from the Taoiseach's reply——
The Deputy has asked four supplementaries and we have 315 questions to deal with.
There are three Questions taken here together and I want to ask the Taoiseach, arising from his reply, what steps does he propose to take if civilian traffic is disrupted or danger is caused to civil aircraft as a result of British violation of our airspace and also what steps does he intend to take if these intrusions into our air space endangering life and also the security of the country continue?
I propose to take every step open to us. The Deputy's supplementary implies that there was danger to civil aircraft and danger to life: I do not think that is the case. It may be. That particular incident is being investigated.