Taoiseach Leo Varadkar insisted the Government has no Plan B for policing the Border in the event of a hard Brexit.
Varadkar also ruled out an increase in the Garda force if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
“Obviously, our overriding plan and objective is to avoid a no-deal scenario and that’s why we put so much work into negotiating a withdrawal agreement,” the Taoiseach said.
“The best way to avoid a no-deal Brexit was to have a deal and “we have a deal on the table now”, he added.
“We’re going to continue to expand the force over the next couple of years and how gardaí are deployed is, of course, a matter for the commissioner.
“But we will take into account any changes that may arise because of Brexit and we also need to make sure we have very close co-operation with the PSNI. That co-operation is as good as it ever has been.”
Mr Varadkar added: “We are not making any contingency plans for a hard Border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. But we do have to have regard for the fact that we could see an increase in smuggling and other illegal cross-border activities.”
The Taoiseach made his comments yesterday during his first visit to the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, where he saw 199 new gardaí graduating.
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