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

It was the Minister of State who referred to the role of An Garda Síochána in this regard, not me. In light of the potential for smuggling along the Border, it would be wrong to say that An Garda Síochána can pick up the slack, particularly if there is to be no reinstatement of troops in the area. The reality is that the Garda is under-resourced and does not have the necessary manpower in place. Local Garda stations have closed all across the Border region, especially in counties Cavan and Monaghan. It is unfair of the Minister of State to say that I should raise the matter with the Minister for Justice and Equality. It was the Minister of State who referred to the role of An Garda Síochána. We have seen the closure of Army barracks and we have seen troops being obliged to leave their families and homes to work further afield. This is not just for normal work shifts; it is to stay further afield for longer periods.

I am disappointed to hear the Minister of State say that he does not have any specific plans to consider the reinstatement of troops. Deputy Breathnach quite rightly suggested that troops be deployed to community resource centres or other centres to show a visibility or a presence. That is a fair point. An Garda Síochána cannot do it alone - it would be the first to admit that - so why not deploy troops to do that job also?

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