Vol. 529 No. 1
329 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the number of members who have served in Kosovo; the number in Kosovo at present; the number who have had a medical examination as a result of recent revelations regarding depleted uranium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1620/01]
Over 300 Defence Forces personnel, including the current contingent of 104 personnel, have served with the Irish transport company in Kosovo as part of KFOR. As a result of recent media speculation regarding the use of depleted uranium – DU – weapons in the Balkans, the Defence Forces sent an investigative team, comprising an Ordnance Corps officer and a medical officer, to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo earlier this month. Their findings confirm earlier assessments of normal levels of background radiation. Continuous testing of food and water has shown them to be safe and radiation levels in camps occupied by Irish troops were tested and found to be safe. On the basis of this and other evidence available to them, the Defence Forces military authorities have assessed the threat to the health of Irish troops in the Balkans as negligible.
