asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his recent trip to the Defence Forces in the Middle East. [17940/98]
Written Answers - Ministerial Travel.
76
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:173 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his recent trip to the Defence Forces in the Middle East. [18122/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 173 together.
I visited Irish troops serving with the United Nations in Cyprus and Lebanon during the period 20 to 27 September 1998. The main purpose of my visit was to observe at first hand the work of Irish military personnel serving in the region and to assure them, on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, how proud we are of the outstanding manner in which they have consistently performed their duties on United Nations service.
During the course of the visit, I met with the Chief of Mission and the Force Commander of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus. I attended briefings by the Chief of Staff of the force and I met with the Cypriot Minister for Defence. Most of my visit was spent in the Lebanon during which time I met with the Lebanese Defence Minister, the Lebanese Chief of the armed forces and the UNIFIL Force commander as well as other local representatives and dignitaries. In all of the discussions that I had with these individuals, there was consistent praise for Irish troops and a desire that they should continue in service in South Lebanon. I visited the Force mobile reserve which is located in Qana and saw at first hand the conditions under which Irish troops are required to operate. I was greatly impressed by the commitment of all our troops in the Middle East to the important work they are undertaking in the course of international peace.