asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made firm representations to the Israeli Government regarding their allies, the Christian Militia, who are shelling United Nations Troops in the Lebanon.
19.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - UN Troops in Lebanon.
18.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of any direct protest that has been made to the Israeli Government regarding the more recent attacks on the Irish peace-keeping force in Southern Lebanon and the assurances, if any, given by that Government.
20.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will urge the United Nations to severely reprimand the Israeli Government for the continued harassment of Irish and other UN forces by Israeli troops and their allies.
21.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the deployment of Irish troops in the Lebanon with particular reference to recent attacks and injuries sustained by Irish personnel.
22.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a newspaper report (details supplied) that shells fired on Irish troops in the Lebanon originated in Israel; that the fire actually came from Israeli guns; and if he will make representations to the Government of Israel in this regard.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 22, inclusive, together.
As the Tánaiste, on the Taoiseach's behalf, informed the Dáil last Tuesday, the Taoiseach on 18 April last addressed a personal message to Prime Minister Begin of Israel in which he asked Mr. Begin to bring to bear all the influence he could exert to ensure the safety of the UN troops and an end to the dangerous incidents which were impeding the force from carrying out its mandate. Similar approaches with the same objective were also made by the Secretary General of the United Nations, who is responsible for the operation of the force, and by other troop-contributing and concerned countries. In the course of his reply to the Taoiseach Mr. Begin indicated that the Israeli authorities had informed the so-called de facto forces that Israel opposed without qualifications any firing or shelling at units of UNIFIL.
Deputies are no doubt aware that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has not been able to establish control over the whole area entrusted to it by the UN Security Council and that the force is continuously subjected to harassment by the de facto forces. Israel handed over to these forces effective control of a strip of territory on the Lebanese side of the border with Israel when it withdrew from South Lebanon in June 1978. The Irish battalion of approximately 650 all ranks based at Tibnin is deployed in an area immediately north of part of this strip. The battalion also has a number of outposts within the strip. The remainder of the Irish contingent, a headquarters company of approximately 100 all ranks, is stationed at Naqoura, the headquarters of UNIFIL, which is on the coast within the territory generally controlled by the de facto forces.
The harassment of UNIFIL has been a source of continuing serious concern to the United Nations and troop-contributing Governments. I conveyed my concern by letter to the Israeli Foreign Minister in January of this year, and our concern has also been regularly communicated to Israel through diplomatic channels.
The shelling and firing at an unprecedented level, which began on 15 April, followed the decision of the Lebanese Government, in consultation with the Secretary General, to despatch a contingent of the Lebanese regular army to take up duty alongside UNIFIL. Under the terms of its mandate UNIFIL has the task of assisting the Lebanese Government in reestablishing its authority in Southern Lebanon. The shelling culminated in the intensive bombardment of UNIFIL headquarters at Naqoura, in the course of which six Irish soldiers were injured.
In a special report to the Security Council on these events the Secretary General stated that he was taking steps through all possible channels to ensure that those responsible for this unprecedented act of indiscriminate violence directed against both the United Nations and the Government of Lebanon would be brought under control and that such incidents would not recur.
As the Tánaiste informed the Dáil last week, since the events to which I have referred, there has been no major shelling of Irish troops, although the UN force is still subject to harassment and full freedom of movement has not been established. The Secretary General has indicated that in the immediate future UNIFIL will concentrate its efforts on endeavouring to achieve further deployment and control in its area of operation and establishing as a matter of urgency a security zone around its headquarters of Naqoura.
I have seen reports, such as that to which Deputy O'Keeffe refers, in which it is alleged that shells and shots were fired from within Israeli territory into the area held by Irish troops. The United Nations has been unable to confirm these reports. Were such reports to be confirmed, this would be a very serious matter and I should, of course, take the matter up at once with the Israeli authorities. Israel has in any event not denied supplying the de facto forces with arms.
Given the influence which the Government of Israel clearly exercises over the de facto forces, its position will, as the Secretary General has noted, be crucial for efforts to achieve progress in the coming months. We hope that Israel will co-operate fully to this end. The Government will in their continuing contacts through diplomatic channels do all they can to assist the Secretary General in making progress and reducing to a minimum the risks faced by the force.
Is the Minister satisfied with any assurances received from the Israeli Government in regard to this serious matter?
Since the Taoiseach and I made direct contact we have got co-operation from the Israelis in exerting their influence on the de facto forces.
Is the situation that the Minister does not expect any repetition of those occurrences?
I hope not.
Is it not ironic that the countries which are supplying arms to the Israelis are members of the UN? Would the Minister consider requesting those countries not to supply any more arms to the Israelis while these attacks continue?
The Deputy will appreciate that the first assurance we want to get is that the Israelis will not supply any arms to the de facto forces for use against the UN troops. After that it would be necessary to get a resolution of the UN Security Council not to supply arms to any country and that would be a major political decision.
Does the Minister anticipate that compensation will be paid by the aggressor in this case as it has been firmly established that they were responsible? Would the Minister think it proper that we should demand compensation for injuries to our troops?
Obviously, that question will have to be resolved in the UN. I should like to tell the House that there are disquieting reports that Israeli troops have this morning moved into areas close to the Irish contingent, if not to areas which are the responsibility of the Irish contingent. We are taking up this matter immediately because it is one of great concern to us.
We are greatful for the information, which is rather startling in the light of our earlier discussion.
It is very recent information which has to be confirmed.
Is it in the areas formerly occupied by the Christian Militia or has the Minister any further information about the areas?
We are trying to get factual details. I thought it proper to tell the House the information available to me but I cannot say anything more until I have confirmation.
I should like to get the permission of the House to receive a reply to Question No. 23 today.
I object to the House passing on to Question No. 23 because it is now 3.30.
I am allowing the Minister answer the question.