(Cavan-Monaghan): When further Garda recruits become available, if not before then, will the Minister restore the Cavan-Monaghan division to full strength? Is he aware that in the last few months the Garda strength there has been greatly depleted? This is to be deplored especially in an area where serious crime is prevalent.

The deployment of gardaí is a matter for the commissioner. The strength of the Cavan-Monaghan division has not been reduced and security in that area is equal to what it has been in the past.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that in answer to a written question put down by me within the last week or two he said that the divisional headquarters in Monaghan was reduced by nine within a month and that there were more gardaí transferred from there in recent months?

The reduction in physical terms does not bear any relation to a reduction suggested by the Deputy in relation to security. The security level in the division is adequate, it has not been reduced but rather improved.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Does the Minister not realise——

We have had eight supplementaries on this question.

(Cavan-Monaghan): A few minutes ago the Minister told me there was no reduction in the strength.

The Deputy is confused about a reduction in strength and a reduction in security.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I am talking about numbers. The Minister is waffling and wobbling.

I am concerned about security.

Would the Minister not agree that he just told the House there was no depletion in numbers having given a written reply saying the numbers had been reduced by nine? Will he tell the House how he places such weight on increases in numbers as being important to security elsewhere but a reduction in numbers in the border area as being unimportant to security?

I do not agree with that.

The Minister cannot answer that.

I have answered it.