LAST UPDATE | 3 Mar

IRELAND IS TO move forward with deploying its first defence attachés to embassies in the US, Britain and France. 

Defence and Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee has received approval from cabinet for the establishment of the network. 

The officers will be deployed to Washington DC, London and Paris – which have been identified as the best locations to enhance defence links with countries that the government has identified as Ireland’s most important strategic partners. 

The new programme will begin on a pilot basis with the placement of key personnel in in Paris, London and Washington DC.

“The decision to establish a Defence Attaché network marks an important moment in Irish Defence diplomacy.

“This decision comes in the context of a deteriorating, and increasingly contested, European and international security environment and demonstrates Ireland’s commitment to further develop and deepen bilateral relations with like-minded partners,” McEntee said. 

The attaché role is different from military liaisons, which already is in place in limited numbers in Brussels in EU military offices and at NATO headquarters. The new role is about building connections and relationships and focuses on defence and security cooperation, and diplomatic representation.

Unlike many other countries in Europe, Ireland has not deployed military attachés to their embassies.

Ireland does have a network of liaison officers in the policing sphere with gardaí posted to foreign agencies such as Interpol and Europol. They attend events in host cities and build connections.  

There are about 60 countries with defence attachés accredited to Ireland – but most are based in London. 

The US and Britain operate full-time representatives in Dublin with Colonel Sean Grant representing the British side and Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Patton for the Americans.

There has been a long campaign by defence advocates amid some reticence down through the years from some civilian officials. There were representations by diplomats dating back to the 1960s requesting the assistance of defence attachés. 

The 2022 Commission on the Defence Forces outlined a compelling case for the deployment of the officers to embassies across the world. 

Those recommendations were then adopted in the action plan which followed the report.

A statement from the Department of Defence said the attaché role will be tasked with responsibilities including diplomatic representation, defence and security cooperation as well as being the Defence representative in all relationships formed.

“Selected candidates will therefore bridge the gap between military and diplomatic channels and serve as a useful link, as instructed, in shaping defence policy and strategy and in enhancing diplomatic relations,” it said. 

The department added that the officers’ network will align with the strategy to grow Ireland’s footprint overseas.

The statement went on to say that, while the attachés envisaged for the pilot programme will be military personnel from the Defence Forces, consideration may be given to assigning civilian personnel from the Department of Defence also. 

The Department said that this would be done in circumstances when it determines that civilians would be better suited to the specific location.