Robinson visits troops in Helmand

Northern Ireland's First Minister in waiting has visited Royal Irish Regiment troops serving in Afghanistan.

Peter Robinson, his DUP colleague Jeffrey Donaldson and the UUP peer Lord Maginnis were among politicians who met soldiers from 1 and 2 Battalions RIR.

They flew into Camp Bastion and were taken to nearby Camp Shorabak, where RIR soldiers are helping to train Afghan government forces.

The troops are part of 16 Air Assault Brigade's deployment to Afghanistan.

Commenting afterwards Mr Robinson said people should be proud of the work the troops were doing.

"I was deeply impressed by the commitment of these men and women who have demonstrated a willingness to put their lives on the line to help others who have suffered so much oppression under the rule of terror imposed by the Taleban," he said.

The group also included Lord Ramsbotham, Lord Inge, Lord Lamont, Lord Selkirk and Geoffrey van Orden MEP.

The party received a briefing from Major Max Walker, 2nd in Command of 1 Battalion, on the units' lead-up training to the deployment and the current roles of the Battalion.

They also heard from Major General Muhaiyodin Ghori, General Commanding 3/205 Brigade, Afghan National Army on the contribution the Royal Irish soldiers were making.

The group met members of the TA from 2 Battalion RIR who are currently providing the Bastion Force Protection Company (FP Coy) commanded by Major Mark Hudson.

They were given a chance to see the hospital at Camp Bastion where Northern Ireland TA soldiers with 204 Field Hospital (Volunteers) will deploy to in July.

The officer commanding the hospital, Colonel Phil Hubbard, detailed the role the reservists will make.