Rory O'Hanlon
Ceist:126 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is intended to remove the observation sangar at the square in Crossmaglen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16553/00]
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.
In the Good Friday Agreement, the British Government undertook to make progress towards the objective of as early a return as possible to normal security arrangements, consistent with the level of threat. Some progress has been made since April 1998 on the reduction of security measures, including the withdrawal of a number of battalions of the British Army and the ending of military patrols in areas of Northern Ireland.
On 9 May 2000, a number of specific normalisation measures were announced by the Chief Constable of the RUC. These were the immediate demolition of the Cookstown base, the vacation of Fort George army base, the demolition of Cloghogue observation base in south Armagh, and the vacation of the observation posts at Broadway and Templar House in Belfast. It was also announced that, "Subject to a continuing reduction in the level of threat, these steps would be followed within three months by demolition of the observation sangar overlooking the square in Crossmaglen".
I welcome these steps, including the intention to demolish the observation sangar overlooking the square in Crossmaglen. I also welcome the announcement by the Chief Constable on 9 May that a further review of possible normalisation steps would take place in three months time.