Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I received a review of the 2016 mission from the Defence Forces which I am considering at the moment. I will meet the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General of the Department within the next week to week and a half. A proposal will have to be brought to Cabinet first and if such a decision is taken I will do that in the coming weeks. The 2016 mission did not deploy until early to mid-May and the decision on the 2016 mission was not taken before this point in the year.

In terms of Brexit, we must be very careful about the language we use in respect of a hard border or a soft border. The Taoiseach has outlined on a number of occasions that he does not want a border to come back into existence and that is part of the Brexit negotiations. If there is a hard border it will be a matter both for the Customs and Excise and An Garda Síochána.

It will be as an aid to the civil power where the Defence Forces will come into play if there is to be a Border. However, I am hopeful from the conversations the Taoiseach has had with Heads of State and Government across Europe, and Prime Minister May, that we will be able to avoid that situation.