Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

It is not the Government's fault either. We had certain legislative and technical difficulties to overcome and we have done that, and people are literally waiting for a decision. On the last occasion I answered questions in the House, I gave an undertaking that this legislation would be through the Houses hopefully by the summer recess. I could not guarantee that but I said that was my ambition. There is still a fortnight before the summer recess. I do not choose the times for the taking of legislation.

On Deputy Gormley's question as to whether participants in a humanitarian mission can return fire if they are fired on, my understanding is that if troops are on a humanitarian mission, generally speaking, they would be unarmed.

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