Mr. Drew Harris:

If it can be of reassurance, even prior to my arrival there was a recognition of the particular issues in respect of policing in the Border area. As the Chairman says, we would take note of drink-driving, as well as anti-social behaviour, together with other incidents and criminality reflected in terms of burglary, the theft of farm plant machinery, etc. We are very conscious of that. As we approach Brexit, and we do not know yet what Brexit we are getting, we are also very conscious of reassurance for the community that lives close to the Border and the fear there might be of, in effect, raids taking place back and forth across the Border and the criminality engaged in that.

Over the past 18 months, there has been an emphasis on building up resources in what we call that northern region with members passing out of Templemore but also with establishing armed support units and enhancing our roads policing. That is ongoing. It has not been as dramatic as 25 new gardaí per district, as we did in the last passing out parade, but there has been a build-up of resources, and that will continue. We believe that is prudent given the unknowns we face around Brexit but also the ongoing pressures around anti-social behaviour, drugs offences and criminality.