The Moville based Senator said:“The resumption of routine checking of the boots of cars coming from Magillgan to Greencastle must be and will be questioned.

“I have been heavily involved in this project for over thirteen years, as was my father before me. I understand the concept of the Foyle car ferry as a practical and tangible piece of reconciliation infrastructure. This peaceful experience for people who may not have visited the 'other side' before is being given a new significance with the return of vehicle searches.

"The logic of searching people entering another jurisdiction is one thing. But to checking people leaving does nothing to counter either an internal threat or a fear of invasion by terrorists and is therefore a front only. This front, however is doing nothing to foster good relations or the economic success of what has been one of thee great achievements in recent times.

"If this relates to Magilligan being termed an international port as I have been told, then this designation must be reviewed and changed. It is ridiculous that people can drive across borders now with no routine checks but be required to submit to searches on the Foyle Ferry. I am bringing this nonsense to the attention of Minister for Foreign Affairs, Michael Martin, Secretary of State, Sean Woodward, the First Minister of the Executive Peter Robinson and members of the British\Irish Interparliamentary body at House of Lords, House of Commons, Dáil and Seanad levels. Stop the sabotage of our peace and reconciliation process must be our message,” Senator Keaveney concluded.