Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 May 1989

Vol. 389 No. 4

Written Answers. - Allowances to UN Forces in Namibia.

73.

Mr. Molloy

asked the Minister for Justice if the Irish Government have arranged for the payment of the following allowances to gardaí and Defence Forces personnel serving with the United Nations in Namibia (i) Garda, male, £17per diem (ii) Garda, superintendents, £23 per diem and (iii) Defence Forces commissioned officers, £10 per diem; if these amounts are correct, the reason for the discrepancies in the amounts being paid to gardaí as distinct from Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

77.

Mr. Molloy

asked the Minister for Justice if he is in a position to give the information requested in Parliamentary Question No. 56 of 7 March 1989 relating to the payment of allowances to gardaí and Defence Forces personnel serving with the United Nations in Namibia.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Collins)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 77 together.

The rates of daily allowance being paid by the State to members of the Garda Síochána serving with the United Nations Transition Assistance Group in Namibia were given in my reply to the Deputy's Question on 20 April 1989 (No. 18). Similar information in respect of Defence Forces' personnel in Namibia was given by the Minister for Defence in his reply to Question No. 50 on 12 April 1989.

The rates of allowance being paid to members of the Garda contingent were struck on the understanding, as notified to us by the UN, that members would be provided with free food and accommodation and receive not more than US$ 1.28 per day from the UN to cover incidental expenses. The rate of daily allowance being paid by the State to Defence Forces' personnel takes account of the substantially higher daily allowance payable to them by the United Nations.

The matter of daily allowances from the UN is the subject of ongoing discussion and negotiation.