The first batch of soldiers from the 43rd Infantry Group of the Irish Defence Forces departs for Syria today.

Irish troops being deployed to Syria have been given special training in the event of a chemical attack.

The United Nations has assured the Government that the safety of Irish peacekeepers is paramount on their upcoming mission to the Golan Heights.

David Reynolds

Oil prices continued to rise today, edging even closer to the record high set in the lead-up to the last Gulf War.