Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

An issue I raised in the past was the reconfiguration of Garda divisions a number of years ago under the Commissioner, Mr. Drew Harris. I believe that the structures that were made and put in place were wrong. Traditionally, since the foundation of the State, Cavan-Monaghan was one Garda division. Now we are in with County Louth. You have a Garda division stretching from outside Dublin to the far end of west Cavan, which is quite near Sligo, Bundoran and Donegal. It has a very long land border with a neighbouring jurisdiction.

We are all well aware that borders do not deter criminality. Unfortunately, we have cross-Border criminality. The chief superintendent for the Louth-Cavan-Monaghan Garda division is based in Drogheda, which is outside Dublin. I do not believe that the further ends of that Garda division will get the attention, personnel or resources they deserve. Over the years, an issue I have kept putting on the agenda is the need to ensure that the unique policing demands of a Border area are always resourced adequately.

See this speech in context