§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is policy with regard to members of the armed forces not on duty crossing into the Republic of Ireland.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonOnly the following categories of Regular service personnel are permitted to take leave of absence in the Republic of Ireland: those domiciled in the Republic up to the time of their enlistment; those who have a spouse or parents, or in the absence of the latter, a brother, sister or child domiciled in the Republic; and those who have urgent private affairs to settle in the Republic, which cannot be dealt with other than by a personal visit.
Permission to visit the Republic can be given only by the commanding officer of the service man concerned. Service men who breach these regulations are dealt with by the service authorities.
§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis the Irish Government agree to the armed forces crossing into the Republic of Ireland, as referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Brent, East of 6 May,Official Report, columns 619-20.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe details of arrangements between the two Governments concerned regarding cross-border security co-operation are confidential.
§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions, in each year from 1982 to the current date, members of the armed forces on duty have crossed into the Republic of Ireland, distinguishing between land and air crossings.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe numbers of occasions when members of Her Majesty's forces on duty have crossed into the Republic of Ireland since 1982 is as follows:
538W
Ground Air Total 1982 17 28 45 1983 13 18 31 1984 16 15 31 1985 14 13 27 1986 31 19 50 1987 34 21 55 1988 15 35 50 TOTAL 140 149 289 On the vast majority of occasions the border was crossed as a result of navigational error; these incidents were notified to the Irish Government. On the remaining occasions, the border was crossed with the agreement of the Irish Government.