Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which he has visited Irish overseas troop deployments; if he is satisfied regarding the extent of facilities and backup in each case; if he has concerns regarding the strength of the respective deployments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8888/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are deployed, are the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) with 325 personnel, the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 215 personnel and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 165 personnel.

In addition, 41 personnel are serving in EUFOR, the EU-led operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the past year I visited Irish personnel serving with the UNMIL, KFOR and UNIFIL.

During the period 28 February, 2006, to 2 March, 2006, I took the opportunity to visit Liberia where I met with the Irish personnel of 94th Infantry Battalion serving with UNMIL. The primary purpose of my visit was to see at first hand the work of the Irish Defence Forces Personnel serving with UNMIL and to convey to them, on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, the deep appreciation felt regarding the outstanding manner in which they perform their duties in this challenging mission.

During the course of my visit to Liberia, I met the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Alan Doss. I also paid a courtesy call to the Deputy Force Commander UNMIL, Major General Muhammad Tahir.

During the period 12 to 14 June, 2006, I paid a visit to Kosovo where I met with the Irish personnel of 32nd Infantry Battalion serving with the NATO-led International Security Presence in Kosovo (KFOR). During the course of my visit I had a number of briefings and opportunities to see the excellent work being done by the Irish Defence Forces personnel serving with KFOR. I had detailed discussions and briefings from the KFOR Commander: Lieutenant General Giuseppe Valotto at the KFOR HQ at Film City in Pristina. Lt Gen Valotto gave a full assessment of the current position across Kosovo and was fulsome in his praise for the Irish Defence Forces personnel serving there.

As Deputies will be aware, I have just returned from visiting Irish personnel of the 34th Infantry Group serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). During the course of my recent visit, I met the Lebanese Minister of Defence Mr. Elias Murr, the Lebanese Armed Forces Commander, General Michel Sulaiman and the Force Commander UNIFIL, Major-General Claudio Graziano.

Defence Forces personnel serving on all overseas missions are equipped with the most modern and effective equipment. This equipment enables troops to carry out the mission assigned, as well as providing the required protection specific to the mission. I am fully satisfied with the level of facilities and back-up available to our personnel serving overseas and that all appropriate measures are in place to ensure their safety.