Vol. 406 No. 5
8 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the number of Irish troops serving on the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Middle East at present; and if any were moved from their postings during the recent Gulf War.
There are at present a total of 782 Irish military personnel serving with United Nations peacekeeping missions in the Middle East. All of these remained in position during the Gulf War. Personnel based in Iraq had been moved to Iran and Cyprus prior to the outbreak of hostilities.
Is the Minister referring to the members of UNIMOG who were in the Iraq/Iran area at that time? Can he tell us how many were moved and where to?
Yes, I am referring to members of UNIMOG. Their mandate ceased on 28 February and all are now back home.
Is it planned to restore representatives from the Irish Army to UNIMOG and are there plans to have personnel from UNIMOG go back into the Iran/Iraq area?
That matter is being considered at present. It is very likely that a small corps may take up duty there.
In regard to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation in the Middle East, does the Minister have any plans to provide Irish Army personnel in that organisation?
I have already said that there will be an observer corps.
UNIMOG is diffrent to UNTSO.
I know that. I meant them also.
In regard to UNTSO, are there plans to provide Irish officers in UNTSO?
That matter will be considered when a request is made and my response will be favourable.
Can I take it then that the original question which was transferred to the Department of Defence from the Department of Foreign Affairs in relation to Irish Army troops in the Iraq, Iran and Kuwait areas is in fact relevant to the Department of Defence and that it is planned by the Department of Defence to send Irish Army personnel to the Middle East?
Let us proceed to Question No. 9.
Primarily it is a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs but we received directives from them.
The bottom line is that the Minister does have plans, yet he transferred the question over to Foreign Affairs.
If requested we will consider it reasonably favourably.
