“There has never been a motion before the Dáil and there hasn’t been legislation published concerning it,” Deputy Berry told the Irish Independent. “It completely undermines our status as a militarily neutral state that we have to rely on the RAF,” he added. That department is now led by Simon Coveney, who holds the dual role of Minister for Defence. A source told the Irish Independent: “The Department of Defence only confirmed the existence of this agreement after the Air Corps insisted on getting a response. “The Air Corps GOC and senior staff were summoned to the Department of Defence and allowed to read the document, but were not given a copy.

Source: Irish Independent June 11, 2021 01:36 UTC