Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Táimid aontaithe faoi scamall bróin inniu tar éis bhás saighdiúra chróga a bhí ag fónamh sa Liobáin. Déanaimid caoineadh lena theaghlach agus molaimid crógacht na ndaoine atá páirteach ann. Tá a fhios againn go mbraitheann gach duine in Óglaigh na hÉireann nó sa bhaile an caillteanas seo. Tá ár gcuid smaointe agus paidreacha le pearsanra uile Óglaigh na hÉireann inniu. We are united in grief at the loss of a brave Irish soldier, a young man serving Ireland and the United Nations in Lebanon. We mourn with his family and salute the bravery of everyone involved. Today we are a nation united in grief. We know this loss is felt by everyone in the Defence Forces, Óglaigh na hÉireann, whether overseas or at home and our thoughts and prayers are with all Defence Forces personnel and their ongoing service, commitment and courage.

Yesterday just after 9 a.m. Irish time, members of the 121st Infantry Battalion of UNIFIL were on their way to Beirut in a convey of two armoured vehicles when they came under small arms fire. Four Irish personnel sustained injuries and were brought to Raee hospital near Sidon. Tragically, Private Seán Rooney, was dead on arrival. The other soldier, Private Shane Kearney, remains in a serious condition in ICU. Two other personnel sustained minor injuries. A Defence Forces medical officer and chaplain are currently at the hospital. There will be a full investigation into this fatal incident and this evening the Minister, Deputy Coveney, who is in New York, will meet with the UN Secretary General to discuss the sad loss of our Irish serviceman and the inquiry to follow. The Taoiseach, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and the Chief of Staff have said the Defence Forces will do everything to provide care and support to the bereaved families and those of the injured, as well as providing ongoing support for all of the personnel in Lebanon.

Every day of the year, far from these shores, hundreds of Irish soldiers stand guard for the cause of peace and human rights. In various UN missions, they join colleagues from around the world to form what is a thin blue line. The very first Irish peacekeepers arrived in Lebanon in 1958 when 50 officers joined the UN observer group on the border between Lebanon and Israel. Today there are Irish officers in places as far apart as Mali, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and the Golan Heights.

Five years ago, I had the privilege of visiting Tibnin, where a memorial stands to commemorate the more than 40 Irish peacekeepers who have lost their lives serving in Lebanon and to lay a wreath in their memory. I remember it well and it was a poignant and stark reminder of the danger in which Irish personnel place themselves every day. I also witnessed the close links between Irish forces and the local community in south Lebanon. It was one of those moments where the boundaries of culture, language, race and religion fall away and we are reminded of our shared humanity.

The Irish battalion in south Lebanon has helped restore stability to an area that was once wracked by conflict. It showed clearly why our personnel continue to serve with distinction around the world to end conflict and bring stability and peace. Today the House is united as we mourn this sad death and pray for the injured. Let us think of that memorial in Tibnin, the loss it commemorates and the hope it symbolises. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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