The next group of soldiers to go on peacekeeping duties in Liberia paraded at the old Collins Barracks in Dublin this afternoon.
The 430 troops, most of them serving in Dublin, were inspected by the Minister for Defence, Michael Smith.
They will start taking up next week when the battalion currently in Monrovia begins its journey home.
Mr Smith said that for the past six months Ireland has been contributing in a substantial way to bringing stability to a key region in Africa.
He paid tribute to the heroic action of Irish peacekeepers who secured the release of 35 people, mainly women and children, who were held captive by rebels a few months ago.
The minister also praised the involvement of the Defence Forces for their involvement is the disarmament process in Liberia where 9,000 weapons have been handed in.
