I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Wallace, and her officials.
Criminal Justice (Safety of United Nations Workers) Bill, 1999 [Seanad]: Committee Stage.
Sections 1 to 12, inclusive, agreed to.
First and Second Schedules agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment and received for final consideration.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."
I wish to raise one point. I welcome the passage of the Bill. In regard to the status of forces agreement, which the Irish Defence Forces will be involved in when they seek to renew their mandate in south Lebanon, will the Minister investigate whether it is feasible that this convention should form part of future status of forces agreements so that protection will be built in? Obviously it will apply anyway but perhaps the Minister might come back to me on that at a later stage.
We will check the position on that and get back to Deputy Fitzgerald on it. It is important at this stage to refer to Ireland's long and proud tradition in providing gardaí and soldiers to serve in UN peacekeeping missions and to wish all our forces abroad health and safety. There is no doubt that people have given great service throughout the world. Some people died while serving with such missions and it is right that we should remember those men today and also the many others who have been injured over the years. Members of the Oireachtas must do all we can to provide the necessary supports to those people.
Question put and agreed to.