Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are very conscious of the difficult and escalating situation in Lebanon. The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence is in daily contact with those from Ireland who are serving there, and there is every possibility the areas of Lebanon in which Irish peacekeepers operate will be targeted by Israeli Defense Forces missiles. Many local people in my area, south Kildare, take part in such peacekeeping missions and we have a long and proud history of that service. I am told the morale of soldiers serving in UNIFIL is strong, even though they are dealing with very challenging circumstances. We are all very concerned. I acknowledge their service and the sacrifice being made by the soldiers serving in the region. We are thinking of all of them and their families at this time and I know that all my colleagues here will join me in that.

I also wish to give a shoutout for Social Inclusion Week. I have seen some really good events happening in my area, south Kildare. Last night, I attended an event held by the Newbridge Ryston Badminton Club over the weekend. Kare had an excellent exclusion showcase of many types of craft and on Saturday, Newbridge for All had an excellent showcase for all different community and voluntary groups. Over the weekend, in Athy, Maggie Owens and her wonderful Irish sign language, ISL, team will have a weekend of demonstrating different types of communication, especially sign language. In fact, they had visited the House to celebrate Seanad 100. It is wonderful to see all these events celebrating social inclusion.