Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join other members in welcoming the Minister of State and his officials.

I have a few points that I wish to make, particularly about the passport service. Is it possible to indicate to us in writing, rather than verbally, who is entitled to a passport? There is confusion about whether a person who is a first or a second cousin may be entitled to a passport. The service provided by the Passport Office is second to none and a credit to everybody, including the departmental officials. It is seldom that I hear a complaint about the passport service and as a public service it is first class. Above all, its personnel always give the impression that they are trying to help people and it is not just a case of going through the motions. There is an ethos that should be recognised by us all. The personnel in question are behind desks and providing a service and never really receive recognition for the work they do. Many times they have to deal with somebody in the airport who is panicking as he or she has just realised he or she does not have a passport. There is always an attitude that personnel should try to help people rather than tell them to come back tomorrow. The service is excellent.

The fact that we are renowned for our part in peacekeeping missions is a great advertisement for Ireland. I have witnessed it at first-hand and we cannot underestimate the value to Ireland of our troops operating on peacekeeping missions. Very often we speak about the situation in Lebanon where we have 500 or so troops, but there are other areas where 20 or 30 members of the Defence Forces are serving on very small missions but who are playing a vital role. They do not receive the recognition they deserve. Again, I highlight the work done on all missions, including the small ones, as well as the big ones. The troops involved play such an important role in enhancing the image of the country. We cannot overestimate the value of their role as peacekeepers, nor can we overvalue Ireland's role as a neutral country and in not being tied to European armies or anything else. Our neutrality is very precious and allows us tremendous scope in participating in peacekeeping missions. We are not seen as serving some agenda or other but as being there purely to help. Expertise has been built during the years, dating back to the mission in the Congo, and it is second to none, as the Minister of State has seen at first hand. Small missions are just as important as bigger ones in various parts of the world.

I am glad that we are contributing to a special monitoring mission in Ukraine. Do we have many troops or officials there in that capacity or are we only subscribing to the overall cost for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe? I have a particular interest in the situation in Ukraine as it has been messed about and become a political football. It says a lot for the way the world works today when Russian troops can march into Crimea and just take over, without a finger being lifted to say boo to Russia as such. There are sanctions, but the situation is horrific. I have had the pleasure of being in Ukraine on a couple of occasions and although they are making tremendous strides, they need ongoing support. I am delighted that we are contributing in some way to stabilising the country and allowing its people to pursue their independence.

It is always great to have an opportunity to say thanks to those who serve on UN missions. We cannot overestimate the value to the country of those ambassadors who serve throughout the world.