asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Border road from Lettercran to Pettigo, County Donegal will be reopened.

I am aware of the difficulties caused to local residents in border areas as a result of road closures. The decision to close the LettercranPettigo road was taken by the British authorities on the basis of security considerations as they saw them and the road can only be reopened with the agreement of the British authorities. The roads in the Pettigo area have been raised with the British authorities, most recently at my meeting on 15 April 1980 with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Mr. Atkins, as examples of where early reopenings would be particularly welcome but the British position at the present time is that these roads will remain closed.

While the decision whether or not to reopen the roads is ultimately a matter for the British authorities I will keep the matter under review and will impress upon them the need to have the roads reopened as soon as security considerations allow.