Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am very concerned to read further reports on the reintroduction of a very hard Border, which differ from what the Government said in the Chamber. According to reports in the Irish Examiner, internal documents show the Government is preparing for a return to a hard Border in the wake of Brexit, including the return of full green and red channel checkpoints. This is very concerning for my constituency, Cavan-Monaghan, where we have no Army barracks and Garda numbers are completely stretched.

Today's report stated that the extent of the contingency plan revealed by the document is a stark contrast to the public statements by the Taoiseach to date that a move towards a hard Border would have very negative consequences for Ireland. The document appears to suggest a departure from the Government's stated strategy to date to ensure a continued free flow of trade on the island and the need to avoid a hard Border. What is the plan?

See this speech in context