asked the Minister for Defence why facilities are not being made available at Dublin Airport to enable relatives and friends of the advance party of the 2nd Infantry group to attend at the Airport and welcome them home.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Return of Irish Troops.
26.
Mr. O'Leary
In order to obviate hardship for the returning troops owing to changes in climatic conditions, etc., and to ensure that the men will be home with their families without delay, landing formalities and dispersal from Dublin Airport are completed with all possible speed. In these circumstances, it is the practice to ask relatives and friends of the troops not to come to Dublin Airport to meet them. The existing arrangements, which are in the best interests of the troops and their families, have worked well over the past five years and no complaints have been received in regard to their operation.
I should add that the advance party of the 4th Infantry Group arrived in Dublin early in the morning of Tuesday last, the 13th instant.