Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Tuesday, 1 July 2025
Committee on Defence and National Security
General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed)
2:00 am
Dr. Cathal Berry:
Three and a half years ago at the Kabul evacuation, we deployed approximately 12 personnel but could not deploy aircraft because we did not have the aircraft. Even if we did, the five or six aircrew required would have pushed us over the threshold of 12. While there was no legal requirement for a maximum of 12 people, the ubersafe interpretation of the law as it stood meant that the deployment was capped at 12. I hope that answers the Deputy's question.
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