Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----but the situation is totally shambolic.

The UN blue helmet soldiers have given huge commitment through the decades to peacekeeping all over the world. I had the privilege of knowing many of them in my area who were based in Kickham Barracks. They are no longer with us. They did outstanding work. Irish peacekeepers are highly respected anywhere they have gone. It is important that we are in a position to fulfil the request from the UN. We must keep in touch with Mr. Ban Ki-moon and the officers on a daily basis to ensure the respect and safety of the members of the force that will be mobilised in Syria. We have already seen worrying threats to peacekeepers in Syria. Other countries have withdrawn peacekeepers because they have come under attack. Some peacekeepers were kidnapped and held for a number of days. That is a totally unacceptable way to treat peacekeepers. Austria, Japan and Croatia have withdrawn their troops. Ireland has a strong past record in peacekeeping. I made inquiries of Defence Forces personnel and they are eager, ready and willing to accept the challenge and to serve in Syria, as they have done for as far back as I can remember in the Congo and many other areas since then.

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