The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, has defended charging €500 to Irish troops returning from Liberia on leave.
Mr Smith said the average cost of returning on leave would be about €2,200. "It is clear there is a fairly significant subsidy involved. I do not wish to exaggerate the figures. We try to be as generous as possible within the limits of our resources," he said.
The Minister was replying to the Labour spokesman on defence, Mr Joe Sherlock, who had asked him if the €500 report was correct.
Earlier, Mr Sherlock said the renewed outbreak of communal violence in Kosovo emphasised the importance of measures to bring permanent political stability to the province.
Mr Smith said there was no doubt that last week's events had been a definite setback.
"The international community, including the Irish troops under the Finnish battalion, are carrying out their work in a way we hope will contribute to lasting peace, including the provision of a secure democracy and the installation of the various services which the people of Kosovo deserve."
