Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his interesting reply. While I was aware that defence attachés from the United States and Russia were located here, I was not aware if there were others. I wonder about the consistency or lack thereof in contacts with the US and Russian attachés. The former, for instance, has stated he is in daily contact with the Defence Forces and considers himself to be the person who can advise the United States Government on how to speak to the Irish Government on defence issues and mutual security. I was a little concerned when he spoke of members of peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan working with American forces in that country given that it has not experienced much peace in recent years.

On the basis that we are not supposed to take sides or give favours, are we in daily contact with the Russian defence attaché? What is the nature of our engagement with the Russian attaché? Will the Minister comment on the statement by the US defence attaché that Shannon Airport is not only an important link between Ireland and the US, but also plays an important role in keeping the world safe and secure and creates a vital connection between Ireland and worldwide security issues?

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