Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his visit during September to Irish troops serving with the European Union Force operation in the Balkans [38104/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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During the period 26 to 28 September 2010, I visited troops serving with KFOR in Kosovo and EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This was my first visit to Defence Forces personnel deployed overseas.

On 27 September 2010, I had the honour of visiting Camp Ville in Kosovo where I met Irish personnel serving with KFOR's Multinational Battle Group (Centre) and attended a lunch hosted by the Irish contingent. Following the downsizing of Ireland's contribution to KFOR earlier this year, a total of nineteen (19) personnel currently serve with this mission.

I also paid a courtesy call on Major Gen Erhard Buhler (Germany), Commander of KFOR and met with the Minister for the Kosovo Security Force, Mr. Fehmi Mujota. During my meeting with Mr. Mujota, I took the opportunity to signal Ireland's continued strong support for Kosovo's independence, which the Irish government recognised in February 2008.

During my visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 28 September 2010, I travelled to EUFOR's Camp Butmir, where I paid a courtesy call on Major General Bernhard Bair (Austria), Commander of EUFOR. After a tour of the Camp, I had the privilege, along with the Chief of Staff, of presenting medals to Irish contingent personnel. The Irish contingent serving with EUFOR currently comprises 43 personnel.

I also met with Dr Valentin Inzko, High Representative & EU Special Representative (HR/EUSR) for Bosnia & Herzegovina. We discussed the situation in the country in advance of the Presidential and parliamentary elections, which took place on 3 October, and the prospects for progress on the necessary constitutional reform in the months ahead.

The visit to both Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina afforded me an opportunity to see, at first hand, the dedication and professionalism of military personnel and the tremendous work done overseas by the Irish Defence Forces. I conveyed to the troops, on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, our deep appreciation for the outstanding manner in which they continue to perform their duties on overseas service.