Vol. 399 No. 12
29 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the foreign embassies in Ireland which have a military attaché on their diplomatic staff; the number of Irish embassies abroad which have a military attaché on their diplomatic staff; if he will outline the purpose and role of such attachés; if he considers it appropriate that diplomatic missions to a neutral country, such as Ireland, have military attachés on their staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Two embassies in Dublin, the British and United States embassies, have resident military attachés, or their equivalent accredited to Ireland. Ten other resident embassies — those of Denmark, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland — have on their staff accredited military attachés who are themselves not resident here. Five other non-resident embassies — those of Brunei, Israel, Mexico, Tanzania and Zimbabwe — have accredited military attachés who are also non-resident.
There are no military attachés attached to Irish Embassies abroad.
The purpose and role of military attachés is to provide appropriate liaison between the military authorities of both countries, in matters such as official visits and defence purchases.
