Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his reply. We are all proud of the work our Defence Forces do out foreign. It gives a positive image of this country despite the internal turmoil we are experiencing here. Perhaps the Minister can indicate the factors that he or his officials can take into consideration when considering involvement in a mission such as one in Haiti, if one were in the offing. Specifically, in terms of personnel and cost savings, what are the effects of Ireland's intended reduction in the KFOR and ALTHEA missions? Do we intend to maintain any Irish troop presence in Kosovo or Bosnia-Herzegovina? Have the Minister and his officials examined the estimated cost of the withdrawal of Irish troops from the UN mission in Chad, as recommended in the McCarthy report? Do we have a figure for that? How much money has the UN given to Ireland in reimbursements since March 2009?

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