Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 25 Apr 1995

Vol. 451 No. 8

Written Answers. - County Fermanagh Police Station.

Mary Coughlan

Ceist:

49 Miss Coughlan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat the concerns of the people of Cloghore, Ballyshannon, County Donegal, with regard to the proposed building of a £1.8 million, RUC station at Beleek, County Fermanagh, in view of its location on the Border, the proposal to have the station fortified and the inconvenience that the building of the station will impose on locals due to increased British Army, RUC, Garda and Irish Army presence; his views on whether, in the new era of peace in this country, such a large investment in a police station is necessary in a small rural town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7370/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I am aware that communities on both sides of the Border are hopeful that the new situation in Northern Ireland will lead to a significant reduction in the scale of the security presence, and I have consistently urged the British authorities to move in this direction. While I understand that the British authorities have in hand an on-going programme of building works at RUC stations, including Belleek, I have made it clear that this should not deflect from the overall objective of a lower profile for the security forces. I have particularly emphasised that while construction work is in progress the inconvenience to the local community, including the residents of Cloghore, should be kept to an absolute minimum. I will continue to monitor closely developments in this regard.