Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

As I said earlier, the Minister has stated that he is simply reviewing the role of officers serving abroad. He is not in any way reviewing the number of personnel, which is set at 850. That will remain constant.

On the remit of the Liberia contingent, I warmly welcome the extension of its involvement to Sierra Leone. As Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development I visited Sierra Leone and witnessed the major need for our personnel. It is important that we extend our remit to meet that need.

On the Deputy's last point, I will, if at all possible, bring that particular motion before the House. He would prefer it to be raised in the House rather than at committee level and I will endeavour to do so.

See this speech in context