asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of occasions since 1st January, 1974 on which the British Army authorities have sought his permission to cross the border while on duty; the reason for each request; and whether it was granted.
Ceisteanna——Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Border Incursions.
81.
Permission to cross the Border is sought on behalf of the British Army authorities through diplomatic channels. Since 1st January, 1974 permission was sought on two occasions for members of the British Army to cross the Border, in one case to examine explosives seized just south of the Border and in the other case to facilitate the task of removing debris which had fallen into a river forming the Border following the blowing up of a bridge. In both cases permission was refused.
Permission has been sought and granted for British Army aircraft operating in the vicinty of the border to fly for very short distances into the Republic at three points to facilitate vital and urgent security operations being conducted in the area. One further case is at present being considered.
82.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of cross-Border incursions by British troops that have taken place since 1st January, 1974; whether the number of such incursions is increasing; if representations in this respect have been made to the British Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
On a monthly basis the number of cross-Border incursions by British troops known to have taken place since the beginning of the year is as follows:—
|
January |
3 |
|
February |
6 |
|
March |
10 |
|
April |
11 |
|
May |
8 |
|
June |
6 |
|
July |
16 |
|
August |
21 |
|
September |
16 |
|
October |
14 |
The total which includes incursions by land and in the air, is 111. In 26 of these cases the British authorities themselves reported the incidents and expressed regret.
In each of the other 85 cases representations were made to the British authorities and an explanation was sought of the circumstances in which the incursion took place.
These incidents are a matter of concern to the Government and we have constantly pressed the British authorities to ensure against repetition of these kinds of incidents which clearly render much more difficult co-operation between security forces on both sides of the Border.
Does the Minister agree that these figures differ somewhat, though not to a great degree, from figures supplied by the Minister's office to the Fianna Fáil party? Will the Minister further agree that there has been an increasing number of incursions in recent months which would warrant serious concern?
I agree.
Will the Minister then accept that this is a matter which would warrant our strongest possible reaction?
I fully agree.
Does he then disagree with the expression of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs that the only concern we have is making noise on an occasion such as this——
No. The very words quoted, rightly or wrongly, by Deputy O'Kennedy suggest that the Minister's concern was at the absence of expressions of concern on the part of the Opposition on other matters rather than with the very presence of concern on the part of the Opposition in regard to this matter.
Will the Minister agree, subject to any other standards which he suggests the Opposition should follow in other matters, that the Opposition would on these figures be properly entitled to express grave concern?
I would certainly agree with that and I would presume that the Opposition would express proportionate concern——
This is not relevant to the question.
Will the Minister agree that the Government should endeavour to ensure that such repetitions will not continue?
I have already made our position very clear on that.
I hope the Minister will be more effective in the future.
Beyond going up to defend the Border myself, we are doing all we can.
We seem to be at the total mercy——
Question No. 83.
In relation to one point mentioned by Deputy O'Kennedy, may I add that if there are divergencies in details between these figures and those furnished by us to the Fianna Fáil office they could be accounted for by the problem that in certain cases there is no evidence about these incidents? The numbers I have listed here are those in respect of which I have satisfactory evidence. There has been a small number of others in regard to which the evidence was not satisfactory and in which we, therefore, were not able to take action.
I accept what the Minister has said. There is no great difference.