BRITISH troops'
official withdrawal from the North will help Border
areas like Inishowen to prosper, according to a
local TD.
Deputy Niall Blaney said demilitarisation after 38
years, was a "significant step" towards a return to
normality.
“This is a significant turning point in the history
of the North and the Border counties,” said Deputy
Blaney.
“The British Army has been a visible part of life on
the Border for decades, but now policing in the
North has been entirely handed over to the PSNI."
“Operation Banner was the longest British military
involvement in history and at the height of the
troubles some 27,000 troops patrolled the streets of
the North and were highly visible in Border areas.
"So many people in Donegal have memories of the Army
and its presence.
“When they arrived more than three decades ago, many
people thought they would only be here for a matter
of weeks but as the Troubles continued, they
remained," added Deputy Blaney.
He said his own party, Fianna Fáil, was committed to
working with the authorities in the North to
"realise prosperity for people living in the North
and in Border areas like Donegal".
"The Government is investing over £650 million in
cross-border projects that are benefiting citizens
throughout the island including the completion of
the Dublin to Belfast road corridor; the all-island
Single Electricity Market, to be launched later this
year and the second North-South electricity
inter-connector; the new South-North gas pipeline
and the development of City of Derry airport," he
added. |
