asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the response, if any, which has been received from the Israeli authorities to protests made by the former Government regarding the involvement of Israeli troops in the killing of Corporal Dermot McLoughlin in Southern Lebanon in January last; if any further representations are planned to the Israeli authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Killing of Irish Corporal in Lebanon.
12.
The Israeli authorities have accepted responsibility for the events which led to the death of Corporal McLoughlin and have expressed their regret that this incident should have occurred. They have further informed my Department that their official investigation of the incident indicated that direct responsibility fell on two senior officers of the Isreali defence forces and that those concerned have been disciplined. It has also been indicated that certain procedural and other measures designed to prevent any repetition of this incident have been taken.
The Government avail of all appropriate opportunities to make clear to the Israeli authorities their insistence on the need for the fullest possible co-operation with UNIFIL both in regard to the security of force personnel and in respect of the implementation of the mandate given it by the Security Council.
I am pleased to hear the Minister's response to this question because there has been considerable unease about the number of incidents involving Israeli forces, or surrogates for the Israeli forces, in which the Irish contingent on UN peace-keeping duties were attacked. Will the Minister give the House an assurance that those incidents, and any that may occur in the future, will not in any way affect the Government's determination to maintain our involvement in the UN mandate in the Lebanon?
We regard the continuing participation by our troops with UNIFIL, and peace-keeping forces in other parts of the world, as fruitful and helpful. It represents a constructive attitude of which we are very proud.