§ 20. Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the effectiveness of military operations on the border between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.
§ Mr. StanleyMilitary operations on the border between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic are mounted in support of the RUC. In recent months the Security Forces have mounted a number of successful operations against terrorist activity in the border areas. These successes can he attributed to the dedication and professionalism of the RUC, the Regular Army and the UDR. The Garda have also been successful in thwarting a number of terrorist attacks. Nevertheless the IRA remains capable of exploiting the border in order to carry out murderous attacks. The development of enhanced security co-operation is a high priority for the two police forces and for the British and Irish Governments.