Mr. Maurice Quinn:

I have not forgotten the Senator. The following may sound like stating the obvious. When we deploy the Defence Forces on peacekeeping missions, particularly chapter 7 missions, there is potential for combat and we have suffered many casualties over the years. Obviously there is an indirect benefit to Ireland's foreign policy in terms the excellence with which our Defence Forces operate overseas. We are putting them into hostile environments and asking them to do a really difficult job. That is why they have weapons and that is why they do what they do. I know that sounds like a statement of the obvious.