Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste spoke glowingly about our Naval Service and Army personnel, on which I totally agree with him. I have been in touch with him about the scandalous situation where up to 60 Army personnel who have been on peacekeeping duties for the past six months in Syria and elsewhere are trapped because of some bungling in the Department. I will not name the Chief of Staff but I want to know who in the Army bungled the travel arrangements to get those people home. They are stuck in airports and we believe they will not return for two weeks. This is due to inertia or bad management by a senior person in the Army. Will that individual be held accountable? Some of these people had booked holidays. They have been on duty for six months and missed a good summer here with their families. There is some talk of a sop of €1,000 compensation being thrown to them. They want to be home with their families. They are waiting to come home, while others wait to go out to Syria. It is utter confusion. The Tánaiste has a duty, as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, to sort this out. He should name and shame the individual who bungled this matter in such a way.

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