Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach's trip to Lebanon to visit the 343 Irish troops serving with the UN-mandated UNIFIL mission was important and I commend him for it. I also welcome his decision to lay a wreath in memory of the 47 Irish soldiers who had lost their lives in the pursuit of peace in the region since 1978. Will he indicate whether he had any political meeting during his trip? If so, whom did he meet?

Speaking in Lebanon, did the Taoiseach at any point raise the Government's concerns about the move of the United States embassy to Jerusalem? Did he have an opportunity to reiterate the Irish and EU stance on the importance of the maintenance of the position on Jerusalem until such time as there was a comprehensive peace agreement? Will he indicate when the Government will formally recognise the state of Palestine? Was he asked about the matter when in the region and did he make observations on it?

On the Taoiseach's discussions with the senior military personnel who accompanied him or were stationed in Lebanon, did he have discussions on the evolving role of this country in respect of PESCO? In which of the 17 projects outlined in PESCO will Ireland participate?

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