Leo Varadkar is putting a visit to Irish troops in Lebanon near the top of his agenda in 2023.
The new Taoiseach was asked by the Irish Mirror if he would like to go out to see our brave soldiers on their UN mission following the terrible murder of 24 year old Private Sean Rooney earlier this month.
Mr Varadkar paid tribute to the servicemen and said that, although he already has a very busy travel schedule, he would like to get a visit to the Middle East country added to his itinerary.
The Dublin doctor of Indian heritage also said he would like to visit India as Head of State.
The Taoiseach has visited the country of his father’s birth when he was last Taoiseach in 2019, but this was a private visit to the home of his ancestors.
Speaking to reporters at the annual Taoiseach roundtable interview in Government Buildings, Mr Varadkar said: “On the issue in relation to travel abroad, I haven’t got any plans at the moment to travel to Mali, Lebanon or Syria, but I might be able to do that perhaps sometime next year.
“I did have a chance to meet with Private Rooney’s family and also Private Kearney’s family.
The Mirror asked the Taoiseach if a visit to our troops serving on international peace missions with the UN would be a priority for him as the country’s leader.
He said: “I hope that can be done.
“My travel schedule is extremely busy, as you can imagine, I’ve kind of forgotten how many trips to Brussels, how many trips to the British/Irish Parliamentary Council as well, but it is something I’d certainly hope to fit in if I can.
“I have done so before, over the Christmas in 2019.”
On the question of travelling to India on an official State visit, Mr Varadkar said: “Again, it’s something I'd love to do.
“I have been there privately, in 2019, as part of a family visit.
“I haven’t visited officially since 2011.
“But these things are actually quite complicated to organise, you know.
“A lot of work has to be done on the ground in advance.
“You have to know that the Prime Minister is available, and things like that.
“But it's on the list of possibles, but by no means definite in 2023.”
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