Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Dec 2002

Vol. 559 No. 5

Written Answers. - Diplomatic Dress.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

119 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence in respect of each of the past five years, the number of occasions on which he has exercised the powers available to him under section 317 of the Defence Act, 1954, to issue written consent for a person to enter or land in the State while wearing a foreign uniform and go into a public place in the State while wearing a foreign uniform; in regard to each such written consent, the nationality involved and the number of persons concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26417/02]

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

120 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the number of permissions granted since 1997 in relation to the wearing of uniforms under section 317 of the Defence Act, 1954; the circumstances in which such permissions were given; the conditions attached; the time limits imposed; if such permissions were given generally or on a case by case basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26546/02]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together.

The provisions of Section 317 of the Defence Act have not been exercised by me in the period in question. Where requests are received by the Department of Foreign Affairs for permission for persons to enter the State wearing any foreign uniform they may be forwarded to my Department for observations and information purposes.

Foreign military personnel enter the State from time to time in order to attend official meetings, seminars, courses and various diplomatic and other social functions. In many cases, these personnel arrive in the State in civilian attire and only wear uniform at the particular function or meeting in question. This is, in general, standard international military custom and practice. Visits of foreign naval vessels are also arranged through the Department of Foreign Affairs. Such arrangements generally include the wearing of uniforms ashore as part of the routine protocol arrangements.