Ireland to extend peacekeeping mission in Lebanon for 12 months — Tánaiste
The Tánaiste and minister for defence, Simon Harris, will today announce plans to extend Ireland's role in the peacekeeping mission in Southern Lebanon by a further 12 months.
In his keynote speech to the PDFORRA Conference in Killarney, he will confirm that he intends to bring a memo to Cabinet to renew Ireland's mandate to participate in the UNIFIL mission.
Ireland currently has the longest unbroken peacekeeping record of any country in the world, with some 340 troops currently deployed with the 125th Infantry Battalion.
'By re-committing to the UNIFIL mission, Ireland is sending out a clear message that we support peace, we value stability, and we care about the people and communities of Southern Lebanon,' the Tánaiste will say.
'It also demonstrates our commitment to continuing Ireland's proud peacekeeping record, now the longest unbroken record held by any country in the world.'
Ireland will extend its peacekeeping mission in Lebanon and continue pressing for justice in the killing of Seán Rooney.
Meanwhile, Mr Harris will tell the conference that the Irish Government will do everything it can to help ensure those behind the killing of Private Seán Rooney are brought to justice.
The Tánaiste will update the conference on his recent visit to Lebanon, where he raised the case of Private Rooney with both the Lebanese foreign affairs and defence ministers.
'The family of Seán Rooney deserve answers; they deserve accountability,' he will say.
'My officials and I will continue to raise our concerns with the Lebanese Government at the highest level so that the people responsible for Seán Rooney's death are finally brought to justice.'
In his speech to the conference, the Tánaiste will also speak about the Government's plans to ramp up defence spending and invest in the likes of radar and sonar capabilities.
While accepting that challenges still exist around recruitment and retention — particularly in relation to specialists—the Tánaiste will welcome the fact that numbers are stabilising.
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