asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to visit the Irish troops in the Lebanon.

I intend to visit Irish officers and men serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and with other United Nations Missions as soon as practicable.

What does the Minister mean by "as soon as practicable"?

There are operational considerations. The last contingent are not very long out there. The Minister would want them to settle down before visiting them.

Would the Minister not accept that it would be good for the morale of the troops to have such a visit in the light of the fact that this has not taken place for quite some time in relation to the former contingent?

The matter has been discussed between the Minister and the Army and this is the best way of dealing with the matter. The Minister will go at the most suitable time.

So long as he goes.

He will go all right.