41 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the arrangements in place for Irish troops serving with UNIFIL who may require blood transfusions to ensure that they are not put at risk of AIDS from contaminated blood; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

All blood given to United Nations personnel at the UNIFIL Hospital in Nauqora is tested for the HIV virus, as is blood used in all hospitals in Israel to which Irish personnel may be transferred.

I am assured that there is no danger of Irish military personnel, serving in UNIFIL, contracting AIDS as a result of receiving a blood transfusion in those hospitals.