Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As a public representative during very bad years in this country, during the era known as the Troubles, I was very conscious of the great work of the emergency services in the Border region, including An Garda Síochána, during the most difficult of times. The Minister referred earlier to the threat from some dissidents and that is still around. There are unique policing demands in a border region. We have a long land border with Northern Ireland. The model proposed by the Commissioner will have Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim in one division and a reduction in the number of operating superintendents who are out there in uniform, meeting the people. It is the same in Cavan, Monaghan and Louth. I believe the structure that was there, despite its failings, like those of every other public service, did a damned good job for our country during the most difficult years. I think that infrastructure and the configuration that is there at present, with additional resources, and additional resources are always needed, is the best way to ensure our Border communities are safe. Alongside losing superintendents, we have also lost, as a result of Commissioner Harris’s decision, an assistant commissioner in Sligo for the Border region. We are losing key people and I believe a halt should be put to it.

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