Vol. 541 No. 3
80 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding arrangements for family members of members of the Defence Forces killed while serving with the UN; if he will respond to a request by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22569/01]
It is the policy of my Department to accede to requests to travel to Lebanon from next of kin of members of the Defence Forces who lost their lives while serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon – UNIFIL. During such visits the Irish battalion has arranged special commemorative ceremonies e.g. wreath laying and special Masses.
I am pleased to inform the House that arrangements for similar visits are currently being made by the military authorities, directly with all next of kin of Defence Forces personnel who died while on service with UNIFIL, including the person referred to by the Deputy, who have not previously travelled to Lebanon and who may wish to do so.
