asked the Minister for Defence the purpose of the recent visit to Ballymullen Barracks, County Kerry, by the British and American military attachés; the date of the visit; and if he will make a statement on this situation.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - British and American Defence Attachés.
14.
The British and American Defence Attachés are the only accredited military attachés resident in this country. It is customary for both to visit all the commands during their term of office. The visit to Ballymullen Barracks, Tralee, on 12 March, 1985, was part of their first official visit to the Southern Command.
Would the Minister give us an indication of the protocol operated by the Army when people like this visit them? What publicity is given to such visits? What is the role of the Army press officer with regard to such visits?
There is no particular protocol. Normal courtesy that would be extended to distinguished visitors would be extended to attachés who visit any military installation. I am not aware of any exceptional protocol being involved.
Would it be normal for the Army press officer to announce a visit like this? It was not public knowledge that the military attachés were visiting.
It would not be a matter for a specific press announcement. These visits are routine and have been carried out by resident attachés since resident attachés came to be stationed here. It is not a newsworthy item. They are merely going about their diplomatic duties. One might as well say that if an ambassador visits some particular place it should be highlighted. It might well be by the local press, but it is not a matter requiring any particular press announcement. It would not be normal to do so.
That is the point. The local press did highlight it, but the national press did not.
A question, please.
Can the Minister give us an indication of any other visits which have been made by these two attachés over the past few months, or if any are planned? He need not disclose the locations for the planned visits.
It is customary for both to visit all the commands during their terms of office. It is a courtesy. These two people are military attachés and, obviously, they would make contact with the military personnel in the host country and visit the various installations. They do so as a matter of routine. They have already visited the Curragh Command, the Eastern Command, the Western Command and the Southern Command.