Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

I will turn to what faces the soldiers. I have visited a number of African countries and have seen devastation arising from hunger and everything associated with it. In this case however, the Defence Forces personnel will have seen nothing that compares to what they will encounter. This is the reason it is so important for Members to show unanimity in agreeing to the Minister's request regarding the deployment of the Defence Forces. In so doing, Members also will give confidence to the members of the Defence Forces to ensure that this mission will be a success, as we all wish. Such confidence will flow from the Chief of Staff, Dermot Earley, a native of County Roscommon who has lived in County Kildare all his life, and through him to Pat Nash etc.

I fully support the motion. I ask the Minister to provide the logistical service that is so important at Christmas time for the families concerned and am confident he will do so.

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