Irish Deputy Premier Simon Harris is visiting Lebanon to reaffirm Ireland’s commitment to the UN peacekeeping mission amid heightened tensions with Israel. His discussions will emphasize the legacy of the late Private Sean Rooney and share the public’s pride in the peacekeepers’ work. He will also announce an increase in funding for local projects.
Simon Harris, the Irish Deputy Premier, is visiting Lebanon this week to reaffirm Ireland’s steadfast commitment to the United Nations peacekeeping mission amidst growing tensions with Israel. He is scheduled to engage in discussions with the Lebanese Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers in Beirut and to visit Irish soldiers deployed under the UNIFIL mission.
A significant aspect of Mr. Harris’s talks will involve the legacy of Private Sean Rooney, an Irish soldier who tragically lost his life in Lebanon on December 14, 2022. The Deputy Premier plans to communicate the Irish Government’s profound disappointment regarding the slow pace of legal proceedings associated with this incident, emphasizing that this delay is particularly distressing for the Rooney family.
During his visit, Mr. Harris will also stop by Camp Shamrock in southern Lebanon, where the 125th Infantry Battalion is stationed as part of the UNIFIL peacekeeping initiative. He aims to express to the peacekeepers the Irish public’s immense pride in their contributions and sacrifices.
Furthermore, Mr. Harris is expected to announce a significant increase in funding for Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMIC) projects, raising it to €80,000 (£66,724). These projects will support community development, health facilities, workshops, and educational programs for local children.
In summary, Deputy Premier Simon Harris’s visit to Lebanon serves to underscore Ireland’s unwavering commitment to the UN peacekeeping mission. He will address the tragic loss of Private Sean Rooney and express dissatisfaction over the legal proceedings related to his death. Additionally, Mr. Harris’s announcement of increased funding for community projects reflects Ireland’s dedication to supporting local development while acknowledging the pride citizens feel in the work of Irish peacekeepers.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
