Irish Solders Could Return To Lebanon

Irish soldiers could return to the Lebanon on peacekeeping duties next year, depending on the outcome of negotiations with UN officials in New York.

The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Lieutenant General Sean McCann has indicated that Lebanon is one of a number of options being considered.

There has been no large-scale overseas mission involving Irish soldiers since the withdrawal of a battalion from Chad last May.

There are currently 150 Irish troops serving abroad in 12 locations.

Lebanon would be a familiar stomping ground for members of the Irish Defence Forces - Irish soldiers served on a UN mission there for 23 years from 1978 to 2001.

During that time, 700 soldiers were posted on a six-month rotation. 47 soldiers lost their lives during that time.

"It's an area we're very familiar with," said Lt Gen McCann "We have a very good corporate memory. The skills and capabilities that we have, allied to the experience, would certainly feature in UN deliberations."

PDFORRA, the body which represents members of the Defence Forces, welcomed the news.

It said overseas missions were important for the morale of soldiers and were good source of additional money, as a soldier on a UN mission can earn over €15,000 in tax free allowances during a six month deployment.