Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure the Deputy that I have had plenty of meetings on Brexit and the outcome of the vote. However, it is way too early to determine exactly the extent, if any, of the role of the Defence Forces. If I were to tell the Deputy today that we are to take on another 3,000 soldiers, I assure her that she would go out the door straightaway to say we are preparing for a hard border. This is absolutely not the case. It is way too early to determine the outcome of any discussion on any border, be it hard or soft. I assure the Deputy that the Government and this side of the House are well prepared for Brexit. The Taoiseach has already had a bilateral discussion with the new UK Prime Minister, Prime Minister May. I have also had conversations with my counterpart in the United Kingdom, Mr. Michael Fallon, during a recent meeting abroad. The matter was raised. Mr. Fallon told me it is way too early to determine exactly the outcome on a hard or soft border, or the implications for the Irish Defence Forces or British Army. It is way too early. Let us-----

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