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

My colleague, Deputy Breathnach, has made a very reasonable suggestion. He is not for one second suggesting that we have total militarisation on our streets. Deputy Breathnach is merely suggesting a visibility and a presence against the backdrop of Brexit. Along the Cavan- Monaghan-Louth stretch of the 500 km long Border, businesses are especially vulnerable in the context of their exposure to smuggling. Our Defence Forces are truly missed in Cavan, Monaghan, Castleblaney and Cootehill, where, previously, troops had been stationed. The Minister of State referred to An Garda Síochána's duty and remit in this regard. In the Border region, the Garda Síochána is working against the backdrop of depleted resources. Gardaí do not have the capacity to do their job. There is also a lack of supervisory capacity. The Minister of State spoke about the Defence Forces not being needed in the area because An Garda Síochána can do its job. I am sorry to tell him that the reality in the Border area is very different.

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