John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I thank the Minister for his reply and I wish our troops well. As the Minister has noted, the situation is highly volatile. The troops are undertaking this mission in conjunction with the Finns. Is the Minister aware the head of the UN mine action co-ordination centre, Mr. Chris Clark, has stated that the de-mining efforts in Lebanon have been seriously hampered by the lack of co-operation from the Israeli authorities? He claimed that while the Israelis had handed over maps of the areas occupied, these had proved to be useless in the de-mining effort and that a list of the types of ammunition fired was required. Such a list is readily available to the Israelis because the delivery of cluster munitions is controlled by computer. Can the Minister confirm whether there has been a lack of co-operation on the Israeli side? Is it hampering the efforts of our troops in Lebanon? If so, has the Government made any representations to the Israelis on this matter? What contact on the ground has there been with the Israelis?

We have talked about the volatile circumstances in the area. General Sulaiman of the Lebanese Army has said that up to 60% of the force is Shia. There is a real danger that they could go over to Hizbollah. If that happens, it will not be so hunky-dory, to use the Minister's words. Have our troops on the ground had contact with Hizbollah commanders? Surely that is the best way to ensure there will not be any attacks and that Hizbollah does not have those intentions.

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