§ 14. Mr. Maginnisasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many protests have been lodged by the Irish Republic' Government since 15 November 1985 concerning cross-frontier incursions by the Army or the Royal Ulster Constabulary; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleySince 15 November 1985 the Irish Government has brought to our attention 78 occasions in which members of our security forces have allegedly crossed the border into the Republic of Ireland. Of these the British authorities have admitted 47; 22 have been denied, six are under investigation, and three others could not be pursued because of insufficient information. I understand how easy it is for members of the security 351W forces operating near the border to make mistakes and accidentally stray outside their respective jurisdictions, as has happened in the case of the security forces of both countries.