Seanad debates

Thursday, 13 November 2003

United Nations Mission in Liberia: Statements.

 

When soldiers are on a 12 month tour of duty, they are given one return trip home. I am not trying to create a precedent here nor am I playing on my loyalty to my former colleagues, but this situation is unique because of the geographical location of Liberia. Will the Minister consider bringing forward an imaginative approach to the leave period for troops in Liberia? If soldiers want to come home, that trip should be paid for by the State. The cost of getting out of Liberia back to Europe is in excess of €2,000. Maybe we could devise an imaginative approach, for example a supply flight whereby we could repatriate troops for a two week period. When we served in Lebanon, the Norwegians and the Finns were repatriated even if they were only on a six month tour of duty. Repatriation of our troops is only paid for if they are on a 12 month tour of duty. Will the Minister look at that?

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