Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to join with the Minister in commending our forces abroad on the magnificent work they do with the United Nations. The Minister may die of shock when he hears this, but I wish to commend him on his mention of the approximately 560 Defence Forces personnel who are currently contributing to UN peace-support operations abroad. The term "peace support operations" - to which the Minister referred more than once - is much better than "battlegroups", which I am always giving out about.