asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the British Army are setting up regular checkpoints on concessionary roads in the Border area and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I understand that the British Army conducted a patrolling exercise in the Culloville area during the week 19 to 26 October last.

Will the Minister say whether or not representations have recently been made by him to the British authorities with regard to the reopening of blocked roads for the purposes of making the access to and from the Six Counties more convenient to people living in the area?

Yes. We have continually said to the British authorities that we do not see that the closing of roads is of benefit for security reasons and that it certainly causes great inconvenience to people living in the area.