Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

The UNIFIL mission in Lebanon is due to expire on 31 August of this year. As has been pointed out, if that mandate is not renewed then we will have no option but to leave that mission. I believe that a phased withdrawal would be terribly regrettable. I agree with the witnesses that it is an incentive for the majority of young people who join the Defence Forces an opportunity to serve overseas. Not alone is it the experience that the incentive is about, it is an opportunity for young men and women to make an extra few pounds to progress themselves in life and we should not take our eye off that ball either.

On the mandate, 345 Irish troops serve in Lebanon at the moment out of a force of approximately 10,500 troops. Is that correct?