The cabinet will discuss the future of Ireland's participation in a UN mission in the Golan Heights today.
Ministers meet today for the first time since the summer break - with the UN peacekeeping mission, and the recent abortion controversy, set to dominate.
Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly reports.
Today's meeting is the first chance that ministers will have to discuss the fallout from the escalating situation in the Golan Heights - and how Irish troops are fast becoming caught up in a bitter civil war.
Defence minister Simon Coveney is expected to brief his colleagues on plans to replace the current contingent next month - and his demand for the UN to re-evaluate its long term plans for the peacekeeping mission.
Yesterday he ruled out any unilateral withdrawal of Irish troops, but ministers are expected to discuss the possible circumstances under which Irish troops COULD be pulled out, if the situation gets worse.
Elsewhere ministers are set to discuss the ongoing inquiry into claims that a rape victim was denied an abortion - the situation which has now become known as the 'Y' case.
And the cabinet's also likely to discuss yesterday's exchequer returns - which pave the way for a slightly softer Budget to be unveiled six weeks from today.
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