I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 42 together.
The wearing of military uniforms in the State is governed by Section 317 of the Defence Act 1954 which prohibits the wearing of a foreign military uniform without ministerial permission.
Requests for persons to enter the State wearing any foreign uniform are dealt with by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Such requests are 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. This is, in general, standard international military custom and practice. Visits of foreign Naval vessels are also arranged through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Such arrangements generally include the wearing of uniforms ashore as part of the routine protocol arrangements.
In the context of the requirements of Section 317 of the Defence Act, 1954, the US authorities were given express permission in 2003 by the then Minister for Foreign Affairs for their military personnel to wear uniforms in the transit areas of Irish airports, including Shannon Airport. The observance of the conditions relating to this permission is a matter which is dealt with through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
