To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are in place to facilitate co-operation with the Irish defence forces following the decision to withdraw the UK defence attaché from the British embassy in Dublin. (174703)

[holding answer 17 December 2007]: Alternative arrangements have been put in place to ensure that our relationship is maintained. The defence attaché Dublin is now the Director of Defence Diplomacy based in London; he has an important remit to fulfil the role of defence attaché on a non-residental basis. He and his team are working in close cooperation with the ambassador and his staff at the embassy. The Irish defence forces were consulted before these arrangements were put in place and are content with how the defence relationship is now being handled.