Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said, they are part of the training programme, part of providing services and advice and assessments at times. Right now, the Department of Foreign Affairs is probably talking to the Department of Defence more than it has ever done, for the obvious reason that the same Minister is over both Departments. Therefore, where appropriate, we of course work together and there are some good examples of how we have done that. Recently, when there was an explosion in Beirut Port, the co-operation between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Defence on delivering practical medical assistance to Beirut quickly, using the infrastructure of the Defence Forces and the diplomatic channels of the Department of Foreign Affairs together, proved to be very effective.

I maintain that not all security requirements across 90 different missions abroad are an appropriate setting for the Defence Forces and defence infrastructure but certainly, when and where appropriate, we will ensure both Departments work closely together.

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