Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005
1298 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself regarding the adequacy of clothing and equipment issued to the Defence Forces serving overseas in view of the climatic conditions in the various jurisdictions to which they are deployed now or may be deployed in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2128/05]
View answerThe safety and health of Irish personnel serving overseas is always of paramount concern to me and it is my policy and practice to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are appropriately equipped to carry out their mission. The ongoing equipment modernisation programme ensures that the Defence Forces are fully equipped with the most modern of equipment for their day-to-day roles on overseas missions. Particular regard is taken of factors such as climatic conditions in areas of operations overseas.
From a health perspective, every reasonable step is taken to ensure the good health of our personnel on overseas missions. In Liberia, the level of medical equipment deployed with our troops serving with UNMIL is superior to any previously deployed with any Irish contingent on UN service and is considerably more sophisticated than the UN requirement. In addition, extensive standard operating procedures have been put in place in Liberia to ensure the health of personnel, in particular, procedures for personal hygiene, covering up fully at night to avoid insect and mosquito bites, use of repellents, maintaining hydration and so on.
