Written answers

Thursday, 27 September 2018

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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58. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if additional financial resources have specifically been given to his Department to prepare for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit; if members of the Defence Forces have undergone training in order that they are equipped to deal with a no-deal Brexit; if so, the details of that training; if his Department has undertaken an analysis of the resources, financial, staffing and otherwise that it will require in the event of a no-deal Brexit; if his Department has a detailed contingency plan in place that is ready to be operationalised in the event of a no-deal Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39253/18]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the security aspect of border control in Ireland rests with A Garda Síochána, while the Revenue Commissioners also have responsibilities relating to their particular mandate. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of aid to the civil power and civil authorities. The Defence Forces at all times keep operational plans under constant review and there will continue to be ongoing close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding security matters, including through regular coordination and liaison meetings.

In respect of the border, the potential implications in this regard will continue to emerge during the course of the negotiations. It is the Government's stated goal to try to ensure that the current on-island border arrangements are maintained to the greatest extent possible. The Brexit negotiations are ongoing and all parties - the EU, Ireland and the UK - agree that there should be no return to a hard border and as such no need for border checkpoint infrastructure or personnel on the land frontier. In this regard, the Irish Government notes Prime Minister May's clear statement on Friday that she will fulfil her commitment of last December for no return to a border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Defence Forces training is designed to enable Defence Forces personnel address all potential calls on them arising from changes in the security situation on island within the framework of any roles assigned to them by Government, including aid to the civil power and aid to the civil authorities. Prudent planning in relation to all security situations which may require a Defence Forces response is part and parcel of the day to day operations of the Defence Forces and, as such, is addressed within existing resources.

Should a situation arise beyond the contingent requirement for Defence Forces deployment already provided for in the Defence vote, this will be addressed in the normal course within the budgetary discussions on defence funding.

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