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

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. Some time ago I had a quick perusal of the report. I want to quickly refer to the Northern Ireland and terrorism sections. I have had the privilege of representing Cavan-Monaghan over a number of decades. During that time, thankfully, we have gone from a very troubled era to an era of peace, thanks to the Good Friday Agreement and the good work that brought about that agreement.

One thing which always struck me was the huge and committed work of our Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána and other emergency services during a time when our State was under attack. The configuration of An Garda Síochána in the region throughout that era, and since the foundation of the force, was the Cavan-Monaghan Garda division. There is a proposed reconfiguration of Garda services. Cavan-Monaghan is now being amalgamated with Louth as one Garda division which is, in my opinion as a layperson, crazy stuff.

During an era when An Garda Síochána and our State faced huge threats, the division carried out its work in a very committed and diligent way. The structures responded to ensure that our communities were protected in the configuration that existed. Our chief superintendent has been based in Monaghan, in the headquarters of the Cavan-Monaghan Garda division. That headquarters is now being transferred to Drogheda, County Louth. We know it is practically on the outskirts of Dublin. It is not far from this Chamber to Drogheda, but it is a long way from this Chamber to the west of Cavan, Blacklion or Dowra.

There is a long land border between Louth, Cavan and Monaghan. I do not know who came up with the proposal but the Minister and Department have always given the answer that it is a matter for Garda operational decision-makers. However, we have to consider what worked in the past and was successful during a very difficult era. We need local decision-making. A chief superintendent in Drogheda, on the outskirts of Dublin, will not be familiar with communities in the far end of west Cavan or the north of Monaghan.

Allied to that is the fact that we lost Dún Uí Neill barracks. We do not have an Army barracks in the central Border region. The local knowledge that An Garda Síochána and members of the Permanent Defence Force had, along with the knowledge of other emergency services, contributed in a big way to saving lives and protecting our community. I ask the Government to revisit the proposed reconfiguration of Garda operations.

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