Vol. 463 No. 3
56 Mr. Dempsey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the advances, if any, that have been made to re-establish the right of way and therefore reopen the Border crossing at Cannings Lane/Coney Road, Muff, Donegal/Culmore, Derry. [5968/96]
The Deputy will be aware that a programme of reopening of Border roads in both jurisdictions has been in progress since the announcement of the lifting of all Border road closure orders in mid-October 1994. The most recent information to hand indicates that this project is now over 90 per cent complete. I hope to see the remaining work completed as soon as possible.
The particular crossing raised by the Deputy was closed in the early 1970s. I understand that Donegal County Council completed the reopening of the portion of the road laneway in question in this jurisdiction in early 1995.
On my instructions, the matter of reopening that portion which lies in Northern Ireland has been raised through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat. I am informed that the delay in its reopening has occurred due to the wish of the landowner in question not to reopen this laneway. I understand that there have been contacts regarding this crossing involving the British authorities, Derry City Council and the landowner in recent months. We have been advised through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat that it is hoped to have bollards obstructing it removed and the crossing reopened within a few weeks.
