Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

I join my colleague in congratulating the Minister. It is rather extraordinary that Irish soldiers in Liberia who have to travel home are being charged €500 for the trip. That is unfair, as is the suggestion that troops should buy their own mosquito nets and repellent. How can that be justified? If our soldiers are serving abroad and they are charged to come home on holiday, why are they also charged to buy their own mosquito nets and repellents? They are our soldiers serving abroad. I would like to hear the Minister justify that. He answered part of the next part of my question. What provisions are in place for medical cover and care for troops? Is he satisfied that this is adequate? Is he satisfied with the level of accommodation available for troops?

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