Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Members from all sides who spoke on this very important motion and join with Deputy Timmins in his Christmas wishes to the families of the approximately 746 troops serving overseas. I agree with the Deputy regarding troops who have been killed that closure should be brought to their families; I fully accept that. I also reassure him and the rest of the House that all outstanding matters relating to injured troops are being dealt with. If anyone has any difficulty in that regard, I will be more than happy to help.

Deputies Sherlock and Ó Snodaigh referred to a decision to reduce the number of officers overseas. As yet, there has been no decision to do so. We are merely examining the ratio of officers to men overseas and how that relates to the ratio in the Army generally. Concern has been expressed that the proportions among overseas troops tend to favour the officer class. There may be a very good reason for that, but I will consider it over Christmas.

Regarding Deputy Sherlock's comments, I am aware of last Sunday's unrest in Monrovia. We are keeping the situation under very close review. The threat assessment in Liberia is still relatively low. In reply to Deputy Sherlock's other questions, the United Nations itself will review its commitment to Liberia in March. If everything is in order in Liberia, the newly elected Government is settling down and peace is returning to the country, they will probably start the process of downsizing UNMIL. We have told the UN very clearly and unequivocally that we intend to have left the country by 31 December 2006. In very unlikely circumstances, that may change, but I can safely say that we are on course to be out of there by that time.

I thank Deputies Finian McGrath, Ó Snodaigh and Cuffe for their very kind remarks regarding the troops and the service they have provided to the UN over a 50-year period. I appreciate them and will ensure they are communicated to the troops. I thank the House and the committee for facilitating this motion at short notice. I also thank Deputies on all sides for their support. It is great that the message can go out to the troops on a very dangerous mission in Liberia that there is unanimous support behind them in the national Parliament.

I wish the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and all the Opposition spokespersons a very happy Christmas and successful new year — not in politics but in other ways.

See this speech in context