Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I must contradict the Deputy. My information is that the troops are supplied with the relevant protective equipment, mosquito nets etc. They are allowed 21 days' leave during their six-month service period. They can avail of this generous charter flight offer, space permitting. Some 96% of the original brigade availed of it. It appears the uptake among the troops currently serving there will be similar. Nobody has made complaints to me about this matter. If people consider the cost involved could be deducted in another way that would be less painful for the person who has to pay for the flight, we would be well disposed to examining that.

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