Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am both disappointed and concerned that despite intensive negotiations involving the EU and UK negotiating teams in recent days, it has not been possible to make the decisive progress that is urgently needed. I assure the House again that we are not contemplating a so-called hard border. Our resolve is to ensure that the invisible Border between North and South remains. As far as preparation for changes in the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union is concerned, our resolve and preparation were clearly demonstrated in last week's budget which saw the Garda budget increase by €110 million from €1.65 billion to €1.76 billion. This will provide the Garda Commissioner with the necessary resources in terms of recruitment, civilianisation and the capital allocations. In respect of preparation for Brexit, many workshops and presentations have taken place North and South and close co-operation between the Garda and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI, is under way to ensure that the adverse effects are mitigated.

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