Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I am interested in some of the functions of the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Kitt. Does the Taoiseach receive a full report from the Minister of State on all the functions he attends? Was the report he received concerning the Minister of State's visit to RAF Lyneham as full as the French report? The latter referred to the host country showing how it would secure a hostile airport with the sort of forces it believes are needed by the EU. It is claimed to be the first exercise of its kind.

Why was the Minster for Defence, Deputy O'Dea not present? It sounds more like his cup of tea. However, I understand that the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Kitt, was officiating on behalf of the Minister of Defence. Is that part of his role? Did he report to the Taoiseach on how that function included EU defence, fighter planes, transport, refuelling aircraft, helicopters, ground troops——

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