Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste has related his engagements with political leaders in the Middle East. We have all noted the high regard in which Ireland is held. Much of that stems from the political position Ireland has taken in defence of international law. A huge part of that credibility has arisen from the role and the reputation of the Irish forces in ongoing peace keeping missions. In that regard, I ask the Tánaiste whether he still intends to withdraw Irish troops from the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights. In the current context that would be a mistake. It would be disappointing if Government were to proceed with that stated intention, particularly in the light of the reports that only 35 members of the Defence Forces have signed up to the EU battle groups, which was supposedly the rationale for withdrawing the troops from the UNDOF mission. The members of the Defence Forces have clearly spoken with their feet in that regard and I ask the Tánaiste to reconsider the position on the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights

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