asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the continuing hardship being caused to the public and especially local farmers as a result of the closure of various roads around Pettigo, County Donegal; and if he will make urgent representations to the British Government to at least reopen the Pettigo-Bellick and Pettigo-Castlederg roads.

I am aware generally of difficulties caused to local residents in Border areas as a result of road closures by the British army and I would be anxious that cross-Border roads be reopened as soon as security and other considerations allow. I have, however, received no recent representations regarding roads in the area to which the Deputy refers.

Will the Minister bring to the attention of the Northern Secretary the fact that the present position along the Border does not suggest that roads such as the Pettigo-Bellick road or the Pettigo-Castlederg road should remain closed? It is quite possible to travel from Dublin through Enniskillen to Pettigo without meeting the British army or the RUC on the main road. I believe that the security position suggests that all roads should be open. Will the Minister bring this to the attention of the Northern Secretary?

The question of road closures has been under constant and regular consideration between our authorities and the British authorities. On each appropriate occasion an up-to-date review is made of the reasons behind such closures and what can be done to change the position in the circumstances prevailing.