Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On the last day of term and the Acting Chairman is strict as ever. You are a hard man. I thank the Minister for doing that. I want to make the same point that has been made. I would be a little concerned that we are going to get involved in areas where we could be perceived to be taking sides. I did not like the idea of us sending people to Mali. I am not keen on sending people to Syria. At this stage, the idea that we still have some people in Afghanistan is a bit frightening.

I think history will show that the time spent by the western forces in Afghanistan was probably the most futile and damaging use of resources by anyone. It is unfortunate that any of our troops were involved in it. We have agreed to leave them there until October of this year. I would like to know whether Ireland still intends to take its troops out in October.

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