Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate what Deputy Ó Murchú is saying. I am not happy with this and quite understandably the family are not happy. I will again convey to the Lebanese Government and to the United Nations my view that the lives of our peacekeepers need to be valued and affirmed through robust legal processes. We know the situation in Lebanon is challenging to say the least, in terms of the polity there and the range of issues. I did meet the Lebanese minister for foreign affairs in New York at UN General Assembly week when I again raised the matter of this criminal investigation. I also recently spoke with the Lebanese defence minister and relayed strong messaging around justice for Private Rooney. We will continue to do that, and likewise with the UN. The next stage will be the next hearing on 15 December. I take on board what Deputy Ó Murchú is saying.

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