asked the Minister for External Affairs the cost to date to the State of the provision of Irish troops to the UN Force in Cyprus; the estimated cost of sending the new contingent of Irish troops to the UN Force there; and whether he anticipates the sending of further contingents in the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Troops in Cyprus.
14.
Up to 26th June, 1965, the date of the expiration of the last mandate from the Security Council, the net extra expenditure (extra allowances paid to our troops) was £656,016. The net extra expenditure from 26th June to the expiration of the current mandate on 26th December, 1965, is estimated at £180,000.
The Secretary General has undertaken that the expenditure since 26th June will be reimbursed from the voluntary contributions for the United Nations Force in Cyprus. He has further indicated that he is mindful of the claim of the Government for reimbursement of all extra and extraordinary costs in respect of all previous contingents from the beginning of the Force, and he has assured the Government that he will use his best endeavours towards the reimbursement of all such costs, in accordance with the provisions of the Security Council's resolution of 4th March, 1964.
The Irish contingent at present serving with the United Nations Force in Cyprus will be maintained there until the existing mandate of the Force expires on 26th December, 1965. A request from the Secretary General of the United Nations for the continued maintenance of the Irish contingent with the Force after that date is not ordinarily to be expected unless and until the Security Council extends the mandate of the Force. If such a request should be received, the Government would take a decision in the light of all the circumstances prevailing at the time.
This all adds up to the fact that there is a real possibility this venture will not cost the Irish tax-payer any money.
As from this on it will cost nothing.
What about the £650,000 expenses up to June of this year?
I suppose that turns to some extent on the success of the UN in putting itself back in the money.
Do I understand there is an effort——
There is an undertaking that every effort will be made to reimburse us this expenditure.
Then the Irish tax-payer will not have to pay anything.
15.
asked the Minister for External Affairs (a) the number of Irish troops at present serving in Cyprus, (b) the total number of Irish troops who have served in Cyprus since the United Nations intervened there and (c) the total cost to date to the State of the Cyprus operation.
As the House is aware, the 42nd Infantry Battalion (615 all ranks), whose six months tour of duty expired on 5th October, has now been repatriated. The despatch of the main body of the replacement unit, the 5th Infantry Group (503 all ranks) will be completed on 24th instant. The Irish contingent also includes 22 personnel at UNFICYP Headquarters in Nicosia.
As the answer to Part (b) of the question is in the form of a tabular statement I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it separately.
For the information requested in Part (c), I would refer the Deputy to the reply I have just given.
Following is the statement:—
SERVICE of Irish contingents with UNFICYP from its inception to 5th October, 1965.
|
Period |
Unit |
Strength |
|
19 April, 1964—19 October, 1964 |
40th Infantry Battalion |
606 |
|
8 August, 1964—2 February, 1965 |
3rd Infantry Group |
399 increased in October, 1964 to 449 |
|
20 October, 1964—12 April, 1965 |
41st Infantry Battalion |
604 |
|
3 February, 1965—25 July, 1965 |
4th Infantry Group |
425 |
|
13 April, 1965—5 October, 1965 |
42nd Infantry Battalion |
615 |
7 all ranks have, in addition, served at UNFICYP headquarters in Nicosia up to 5th October, 1965.