I am sure the Minister would agree that it would be inappropriate to deal with questions on defence without first expressing our deepest sympathy on the tragic death of Private Peadar Flaherty who was stationed in East Timor on behalf of the Defence Forces doing peacekeeping work for the United Nations. I extend the deepest sympathy of members of the Fine Gael Party to the Defence Forces and to the Minister. I ask the Minister to convey our sympathies to them and to the family of Private Peadar Flaherty on the awful circumstances in which he lost his life.
Death of Soldier: Expressions of Sympathy.
I thank Deputy Shatter for his expression of sympathy to Maureen and Joseph Flaherty and to Private Flaherty's two sisters, two brothers and their extended family on the tragic loss of their 21 year old son. He was serving abroad for the second time with the Defence Forces. He served first in Lebanon and then in the difficult terrain in East Timor. The Chief of Staff has also expressed his sympathy. It is a terrible blow which has many consequences for us. It is another reminder of the number of occasions Irish soldiers, men and women, leave this country to represent us and to put themselves at risk. I join Deputy Shatter and other Members in expressing sympathy and understanding at this difficult time for the Flaherty family.
On behalf of the Labour Party, I offer deepest sympathy to the Minister, the members of the Defence Forces and to Peadar's parents, two sisters and two brothers. It was a tragic event which brings home to us yet again the importance of the work done by the Defence Forces. This week we also saw the loss of two members of the Garda Síochána. It is an awful week for the people we have learned to trust, respect and guide us in many ways in relation to our daily activities.
I join in the unanimous expression of sympathy to the family of the young private who lost his life in East Timor serving with the Irish forces there. I extend that sympathy to the Minister and to the Defence Forces. I make that as a sincere statement. I also join Deputy Wall in extending sympathy to the families of the two gardaí who were so tragically killed in the last few days.
I, too, offer my sympathy to the family of the bereaved member of the Defence Forces who was one of my constituents.