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Minister of State for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe, T.D., Reviews Irish Troops

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  • Minister of State for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe, T.D., Reviews Irish Troops

    Minister of State for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe, T.D., Reviews Irish Troops heading to the Lebanon
    Kilkenny Castle, 8 November 2011


    Today, the Minister of State for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe, T.D., reviewed the members of the 105th Infantry Battalion who will leave later this month for service with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
    Speaking following the Review, the Minister said: “Participation in such missions as UNIFIL is a continuation of our honourable tradition of supporting the United Nations in the cause of peace and security”. He told the troops that as members of the 105th Infantry Battalion they would be replacing a battalion that “has performed its duties with the humanity and professionalism we have come to expect”.
    He mentioned that the International Community continues to view Lebanon as “a very volatile environment requiring a robust and extensive international presence”.
    He stated that “performing your duties overseas can require considerable sacrifices”. He acknowledged the dangers and hardships that they will be expected to endure as part of their service overseas. He went on to say that “the Military authorities have assured the Minister that all appropriate security measures are in place to ensure the safety of all Defence Forces personnel serving in Lebanon”.
    The Minister said that he is proud to say that his own niece is included amongst the members of the 105th Infantry Battalion.
    The Minister concluded by saying that “On behalf of Minister Shatter and myself, I would like to wish your Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Philip Brennan, and all members of the 105th Infantry Battalion a safe and successful mission”.

    END

    Note for Editor:
    Ireland has a long association with UNIFIL since its establishment in 1978. The main Defence Forces battalion was withdrawn in 2001, following 23 years of service with UNIFIL. Ireland again deployed a contingent to Lebanon in 2006, for a period of 12 months, with a Finnish Engineering company, following on from an escalation of hostilities, when the UNIFIL Force was significantly expanded under a UN mandate. An Irish Battalion returned to the Lebanon this year when on 30 May an advance party of the 104th Infantry Battalion deployed to southern Lebanon. The deployment of the main body of the 104th Infantry Battalion was completed on 27 June 2011.


    Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.
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