Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

18. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if, in light of the recognised importance of An Garda Síochána's police liaison officer network in embassies abroad, particularly in recent high-profile extradition operations, he is convinced that a similar network of military attachés in embassies of Ireland abroad would be beneficial for the State's security and defence partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34687/25]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

19. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on the 2015 White Paper on Defence proposal to explore the creation of a military attaché network, a proposal which was recommended for urgent introduction by the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34688/25]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

20. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason it has taken his Department ten years to explore the creation of the military attaché network, while other Departments and agencies have significantly increased their global presence in embassies of Ireland abroad in the same timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34689/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 19 and 20 together.

Attachés for Ireland's diplomatic missions are appointed through structured interdepartmental processes, varying by role type, based on specific departmental mandates and objectives in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  The nature of a Defence Attaché role is very different to that of An Garda Síochána's liaison officer.

The 2015 White Paper on Defence, which set out a long-term approach to defence provision in Ireland, recognised the need for the Department of Defence to continue to engage in developing and deepening bilateral relations with potential like-minded partners to secure Ireland’s position in current and future international crisis management operations. The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces in 2022 further supported this view.

In response, a joint civilian/military project team was subsequently formed in late 2022 to examine options in this respect and a project was formally initiated in May 2023.

This project aimed to explore the benefits to Ireland of establishing a Defence Attaché network, to look at the potential appropriate composition (civilian / military) and duties of the role of a Defence Attaché, and to consider how such a network could build on existing bilateral relations. The project also explored the potential for the deployment, as a pilot, of a Defence Attaché in one of the Irish embassies of strategic value and importance to Defence and Foreign Policy goals, where strong engagement exists on defence matters.

Consultations took place with a range of stakeholders in this regard and the model is under active development with the report undergoing review currently via ongoing consultations with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.