Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will respond to Deputy Clare Daly's question first. The Minister for Defence estimates that the additional cost of deploying troops to the Golan Heights in 2013 will be approximately €2 million and the additional cost for a full year will be approximately €5 million. Approximately three quarters of this will be recoverable from the UN. The Minister for Defence is satisfied that the costs of the mission will be absorbed for the balance of the current year. The costs for the 2014 mission will be addressed as part of the Estimates process.

I was also asked about the safety of our troops. Of course there are dangers involved in any mission. No one enters the Army as a cadet or a recruit in the expectation that no danger will be involved in any mission. Of course there are dangers. The Chief of Staff advised the Minister for Defence of the risks involved here. The Government decided, on the basis of that advice, that the Defence Forces will participate in this mission in Syria and the Golan Heights. Of course a decision had to be made by the Government, the UN and the Dáil. A motion to that effect was passed in this House this morning.

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