The Tánaiste says Ireland is in talks with the UN to ensure the maximum level of safety for Irish troops heading to Syria.

More than 100 Irish soldiers will travel to the Golan Heights as part of a United Nations observer force later in the summer.

A resolution will be presented to the Dáil tomorrow morning to give effect to the decision.

Eamon Gilmore says the UN Secretary General directly asked Ireland to take part in the mission a number of weeks ago:

Meanwhile, the UN has said almost 5,000 people are dying every month in the conflict, and 6,000 people are leaving the country daily.