David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Tánaiste and thank him for his statement. I join him in recognising the work being carried out abroad by Defence Forces personnel.

In the context of UNIFIL, as the Tánaiste stated, tensions have heightened recently. There was a meeting yesterday with humanitarian agencies in respect of the civilian communities out there. UNIFIL was involved in that as well. The Tánaiste might comment on the impact that those escalating tensions are having on the civilian communities in the area. I visited the place several years ago and I was struck by the relationship that had built between Irish troops and civilians on the ground. It was very positive and warm, and our troops were really accepted. The killing of Private Rooney and the wounding of the other soldiers was totally out of character, particularly in view of the relationship between our troops and the civilian population. The civilians are currently under pressure as a result of the rising tensions. Has the Tánaiste picked up on anything in that regard?