Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - Cross-Border Roads.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

151 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to the reopening of Cannings Lane, Coney Road, Muff, County Donegal, in view of the fact it is the only unopened Border crossing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24846/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I refer the Deputy to my replies to her previous questions regarding Canning's Lane, on 27 January 1999 and on 9 June and 28 April 1998.

My concern that the section of this cross-Bor der road which lies in Northern Ireland has not yet been fully reopened has been conveyed to the British authorities on numerous occasions. A number of significant obstacles to its reopening have been overcome, with the formal assertion by Derry City Council of the public right of way over the road and the acceptance by the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment that it has responsibility for upgrading the road to highway standard.

However, I am advised that the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment requires the consent of the landowner on whose land the right of way is situated before it can begin the upgrading work. This consent has not, as yet, been obtained.

I have arranged to have this matter raised again with the British authorities in the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, with a view to trying to find an early and satisfactory solution.