Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I have no idea about how this occurred. Once one writes a letter to the Chief of Staff and asks him to circulate it, it becomes difficult to follow the trail. I do not vet the statements of Army officers in advance and I have no desire to do so. Occasionally, I take the opportunity to remind officers of their obligations, namely, that the Army is neutral. It has maintained a tradition of neutrality since the foundation of the State and has never commented on policy regardless of which Government is in power. I hope this situation is maintained in future.

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