Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The concern felt by the nation at the news of the capture of Ms Sharon Commins and her colleague Hilda Kawuki by rebels in Sudan in July of this year was mirrored in equal amounts by the joy felt on their release in October. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, when considering the range of options open to him to bring this matter to a safe conclusion, requested the assistance of the Defence Forces. This assistance was sought as part of the broad range of assistance provided to him through his own Department at home and abroad, through the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and an Garda Siochána.

The role of the Defence Forces was to provide general advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs having regard to their operational experience gained from overseas missions. This necessitated a small number of officers travelling, in rotation, to Sudan to advise Department of Foreign Affairs diplomatic staff. The Air Corps provided pilots and ancillary staff for the Government jet. In addition medical personnel were dispatched to Sudan on Ms Commins' release for the purpose of accompanying her home.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs was at all times the lead Minister in this matter. It is not the practice of my Department to release detailed information on any specific military mission. I wish Ms Commins well in her future endeavours and I pay tribute to the exemplary performance of all those who served the State in this delicate matter.

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