Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not aware of the last statement made by the Deputy. I will not comment on it without seeing it for myself. I commend the troops out there. I visited Lebanon on St. Patrick's Day and I assure the Deputy of the strong relationship with the local community. It has always been there and remains strong. When I was there, I was told the good relationship with the local community goes back 20 years, as long as the Irish troops have been visiting Lebanon. I assure Deputy McGrath that it still exists. I visited the mayor and met local community leaders. The security along the blue line is extremely strong thanks to the Irish Defence Forces. I visited the two outposts. Political instability is of great concern to the Irish Government and the Defence Forces in Lebanon. It is closely monitored by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, and the political implications of any operations are also taken into account.

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