Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have been advised by the Defence Forces that the incident to which I believe the Deputy is referring involved members of the Malaysian Battalion with UNIFIL. I can confirm that no members of the Irish Defence Forces were involved in the incident. For Defence Forces' operational reasons, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment regarding the incident.

I would like to take the opportunity however to assure the Deputy that the safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to both myself and the Government. I am in ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff in this regard, and and the Department of Defence and I are kept apprised of all developments in those areas in which Defence Forces’ personnel are deployed. Defence Forces’ personnel in each of the UN missions located in the Middle East (UNIFIL, UNTSO and UNDOF), comply fully with all UN security precautions, including taking shelter in protected positions as appropriate.

Furthermore, Defence Forces personnel are well trained prior to deployment, to mitigate against risks and scenarios that may arise in their overseas deployments.