Micheál Martin
Ceist:113. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his trip to the Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26987/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 June 2014
Ceisteanna (113)
Freagraí scríofa
I travelled to Lebanon on Sunday, 15 June 2014. I was accompanied on the visit by Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe, TD. The main purpose of the trip was to meet with Irish troops serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). During my visit I also met with the Lebanese Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Tammam Salaam, and announced an additional €2 million in emergency funding to assist Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and the communities who are hosting them.
I then travelled to the Headquarters of the joint Finnish/Irish Battalion in South Lebanon, where I met with UNIFIL Deputy Force Commander, Brigadier General Kumar and Finnish/Irish Battalion Chief of Staff Major Ollonqvist. I received a briefing on the mission from Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Campion, Officer Commanding the 45th Irish Infantry Group. That afternoon, I laid a wreath at the Irish UNIFIL Memorial in Tibnin, South Lebanon dedicated to the memory of the 47 Irish personnel who died while serving with the UNIFIL mission since it was first established in 1978. I returned to Ireland on Monday evening, 16 June.