Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Our remit is to consider the report. We cannot make recommendations, but perhaps each of us might recommend to our party Whip that we have a debate on the report. There would be a clear message and recognition of the work done by so many during the years. I know some families, three generations of which have served on overseas missions. Three and four members of one family have served with distinction abroad. Deputy Lisa Chambers and I will speak to our party Whip and perhaps the Minister of State and Deputies Seán Barrett and Noel Grealish might do the same because it is extremely we have a debate.

The Minister of State referred to the successful co-operation between the Irish and Finnish defence forces. Are there further plans to have a joint battalion? I presume such joint efforts lead to the achievement of financial efficiencies.

The issue of a gender balance among Defence Forces personnel serving abroad may need to be addressed. If the Minister of State does not have the figures readily available, he might come back to us with them.

Are there ongoing assessments of the security of our personnel when they travel to troubled locations?