asked the Minister for Defence if he will give the following details in relation to United Nations operations: (a) the amounts (i) claimed and (ii) paid for operations other than those referred to in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 203 of 20 May, 1980; (b) if the vehicles funded by the arrangements outlined in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 29 May 1980 are in fact owned by the State, and, in view of such arrangements, if the Irish military authorities decide on the level and type of equipment; and (c) if other equipment such as trucks, landrovers, guns and mortars are funded in the same way.
Written Answers. - United Nations Operations.
282.
(a) (i) and (ii) Claims have not been made on the United Nations in respect of Irish participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations other than those in the Congo, Cyprus, Sinai and Lebanon; (b) the vehicles mentioned are owned by the State. The military authorities decided the initial requirements, taking into account the guidelines laid down by the United Nations; (c) the financial arrangements referred to apply to all equipment, including vehicles and weapons, other than personal weapons, provided by my Department to meet the initial requirements of the Irish contingent to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
Equipment subsequently supplied to the contingent by my Department at United Nations request is on a repayment basis.