Deputy Prime Minister Michael Martin said the Irish government was determined that those responsible for the death of a UN peacekeeper in Lebanon would be brought to justice.
The Tánaiste is in Beirut to meet with Irish troops from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil).
Mr Martin will visit Camp Shamrock to greet members of UNIFIL's 124th Infantry Battalion, Ireland's largest overseas deployment.
In 2022, Irish Peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney, 24, from Donegal, was killed when his convoy was attacked while on duty in Lebanon.
Mr Martin said: “A central focus of my visit will be to meet with Lebanese ministers and convey the Irish Government's absolute determination to ensure those responsible for Private Rooney's death are brought to justice.”
The Tánaiste Prime Minister recently approved the deployment of an additional platoon of 33 troops to join UNIFIL's Irish Battalion.
He said: “I am very much looking forward to meeting the UNIFIL peacekeepers who are serving with such distinction in extremely difficult circumstances as tensions rise due to the war in Gaza.'' “There is,” he said.
“We recently reaffirmed the important role UNIFIL plays in de-escalating tensions in southern Lebanon through our continued support to UNIFIL and the reinforcement of force protection elements to the battalion.
“The dedication of Defense Force personnel and their families is an important part of Ireland’s commitment to global peace and security.
“Nowhere is this involvement more evident than in southern Lebanon.”
A solemn ceremony was held today at Beirut Airport, UNIFIL @lebarmyofficial and the Irish Ambassador have expressed their condolences to Private Sean Rooney, an Irish peacekeeper who was killed late on Wednesday night. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and colleagues. pic.twitter.com/dpsexIKOt6
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) December 18, 2022
Upon arrival at Camp Shamrock, Mr Martin will receive a guard of honor from Defense Force officials, meet with United Nations and Irish military leaders and address the troops.
His itinerary also includes talks with Lebanon's Defense Minister Maurice Sliem and Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib.
This is his second visit to Beirut since Private First Class Rooney's death.
Mr Martin will be accompanied by Secretary-General Jackie McCrum of the Department of Defense and Chief of the Defense Staff Sean Clancy.
