Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 5

Written Answers. - Military Uniforms.

Joe Sherlock

Ceist:

143 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence when he exercised the powers available to him under Section 317 of the Defence Act, 1954, to permit the wearing of uniforms by US troops passing through the transit area of Shannon Airport; the conditions that have been attached to the permission; if similar permission has been granted in respect of any other location or the armed forces of any other country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4656/03]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The provisions of Section 317 of the Defence Act have not been exercised by me. 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.