Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
131. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 168 of 17 January 2024, the status of the project aiming to explore the establishment of a defence attaché network; if he has received the report and its findings; if the report will be published; any arising related timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11972/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe White Paper on Defence recognised the need for the Department of Defence to continue to engage in developing and deepening bilateral relations with potential like-minded partners to secure Ireland’s position in current and future international crisis management operations. The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces further supported this view. A joint civilian/military project team was subsequently formed to examine options in this respect and a project was formally initiated in May 2023. This project aimed to explore the benefits to Ireland of establishing a Defence Attaché (DA) network, to look at the potential appropriate composition and duties of the role of a DA, and to consider how such a network could build on existing bilateral relations. The project also explored the potential for the deployment, as a pilot, of a DA in one of the Irish embassies of strategic value and importance to Defence and Foreign Policy goals, where strong engagement exists on defence matters.Consultations continue to take place with a range of stakeholders in this regard, following which an agreement of timelines and next steps will be determined.
