Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Within the Air Corps, it depends on the availability of the aircraft and pilots. We have a shortage of pilots.

As part of the whole-of-Government approach to Brexit, the Department of Defence is engaged in forward planning with all other Departments. We have a senior official at assistant secretary level working with the Government as part of the Brexit preparations. While no one knows the outcome of the final Brexit negotiations, I do not envisage we will have a hard border. Patrolling it will be a matter for the civil power, An Garda Síochána.