The Department of Foreign Affairs is continuing efforts to ensure that British hilltop lookout posts along the Border are "deescalated in line with the new security situation", the Minister, Mr Andrews, told the Dail.

He said the Department, through the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, had consistently expressed concern about the intrusion of the towers, the fear of invasion of privacy, and possible health risks arising from surveillance equipment.

The Minister believed the issue might be discussed by the special Sub-Committee on ConfidenceBuilding Measures, which has been established as part of the talks process.

He was responding to Mr Seamus Kirk (FF, Louth) who said there were a significant number of military installations along the Border, marring the landscape and directly affecting farmers in particular.

Mr Kirk said it would be a "significant gesture" for community relations if the Northern Ireland Office looked at the possibility of setting a date to begin removing these installations.

Mr Andrews said both governments are willing to take "responsive measures" as the security threat diminished.

"The reduction in profile of the security forces generally, including installations such as the observation towers, would represent a visible and very meaningful expression of the new climate of peace that now exists in Northern Ireland."