asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any response from the British authorities to the commitment given by the Taoiseach regarding the manning of Border posts in exchange for the opening of Border roads.
22.
Written Answers. - Reopening of Border Roads.
15.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is having discussions with the British authorities to have Border roads reopened in view of the hardship the closures are causing.
39.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is hoped to reopen the Border roads in County Leitrim as this is the only Border county with no access road to Northern Ireland.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 22 and 39 together. As I have already stated in the House on 16 February 1984 the policy of the Government is that the closure of cross-Border roads is counterproductive both politically and in terms of security. The British authorities have been made fully aware of the Government's policy and I have been given an assurance by the British authorities that no new closures will take place without prior consultations with me.
I am keenly aware of the hardship which the closing of Border roads causes to the local communities on both sides of the Border and have repeatedly stressed this point in my contacts with the British authorities. Among the particular cases which I have raised are the roads on the County Leitrim border with Northern Ireland.
The British authorities have stated that they do not propose to open Border roads to vehicular traffic until the security situation allows. Nonetheless, I am pressing the British authorities to have Border roads rephoned and discussion are continuing to this end.