Mr. Kieran Brennan:

I was in that space for four years, providing military advice to the Minister. Our job is a conductive operation for the Defence Forces. In doing that role, my job was to provide military advice. It was up to the Minister to decide whether the military advice was acceptable.

For example, when we redeployed to the Golan Heights after having had to leave due to the 2013 civil war, military advice was provided. Supplementary advice had to be provided to the Minister before he could make a final decision on approximately four or five different occasions. There can be to-ing and fro-ing. While advice is given to the Minister and the Department, it is ultimately the decision of the Minister and the Government at the end of the day.