Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

A detailed threat assessment was carried out jointly with the Finns during a reconnaissance mission to Lebanon in September. We also consulted closely with UNIFIL and some of the other nations involved. The threat assessment was "low but within a volatile situation". In other words, while the threat is low at the moment, a number of issues could trigger a conflict again. That assessment is not dissimilar to those that preceded the despatch of troops to Liberia and Kosovo. We are keeping the situation under ongoing review. The threat assessment remains the same.

There are a number of matters in Lebanon, for example, the future disarming of Hizbollah, which could be potential flashpoints. The resupply of Hizbollah by Syria is also a potential flashpoint, among others. There are a number of al-Qaeda camps in southern Lebanon, which train jihadists on the way to Iraq. We do not know what action, if any, the Lebanese army will take in that regard. We are aware of all those potential flashpoints. We have deployed the troops for a year and will reconsider the situation next August or September.

Deputy O'Connor suggested that we should raise the matter with the Lebanese Government at the highest level. I will be meeting Lebanese Government officials on my forthcoming trip to Lebanon during which I will express my concern for the safety of our troops. I can also assure the Deputy that if I happen to meet anybody from Tallaght I will certainly mention his name.

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