Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is all right. I want to place on the record, on my own behalf and on behalf of Sinn Féin, our sincere and heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends of those killed and injured during the horrific attack in Christchurch and to offer the people of New Zealand our condolences at what is an incredibly difficult time.

My questions relate to the strategic threat assessment centre and when it will be fully operational. Previous speakers have raised the issue as well. In the event of a no-deal, crash-out scenario, as outlined by Deputy Micheál Martin, there cannot be a hardening of the Border on the island. Will the Taoiseach tell us, very directly, what he will do in the event of a crash to ensure there is no hardening of the Border? What steps will he take to avoid not only the apparatus of a border but also the legal and real hardening of the Border? The paraphernalia is just one aspect of the issue. I have raised this matter with the Taoiseach many times and would appreciate a direct answer. I sincerely do not wish to see a crash, but if there is no deal, there is no backstop, and so there is potential for the hardening of the Border. How will the Taoiseach avoid that? Will he set out the actions he will take?

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