asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the tragic circumstances whereby the Irish Battalion serving with the United Nations peace keeping forces in Lebanon was shot at by the Israel backed South Lebanese Army which resulted in the death of an Irish Army Corporal; and if he will outline the steps which the Government have taken to minimise the possibilities of such incidents occurring in the future.
Private Notice Questions. - Irish Soldier's Death in Lebanon.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the information available to him regarding the killing of Corporal Michael McCarthy in Lebanon; if the organisation responsible for the killing has been identified; if any review of security procedures for Irish personnel serving with UNIFIL has been undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the anger and concern of the Irish people arising out of the killing last week-end of Corporal Michael McCarthy and the wounding of another soldier while on UN duty in Lebanon; whether the parties responsible will be brought to account for their actions; and the steps which are being taken to ensure that the 700 man Irish battalion will not be further endangered.
I propose to take the three questions together.
Before dealing with these questions, I know that the House will wish to join with me in expressing deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the late Corporal Michael McCarthy on their tragic loss and in acknowledging the supreme sacrifice made by him in the cause of peace in Lebanon.
Corporal McCarthy died on 15 November 1991 when a five-man patrol under his command came under fire from members of the De Facto Forces at At Tiri in South Lebanon. The patrol had been sent out from the UN position at At Tiri to monitor the activities of members of the De Facto Forces who were observed moving westwards along a track north of the village. As the UN patrol moved west down the main street it came under fire at the western end of the village. Corporal McCarthy was killed and Private Richard McGrath was injured. I am happy to report that Private McGrath's condition is satisfactory. The other three members of the patrol were, thankfully unhurt. The route taken by the patrol was a normal patrol route. The De Facto Forces fired without warning in an undisciplined and indiscriminate manner. No rounds were fired by the Irish patrol.
A detailed investigation of the incident which resulted in the death of Corporal McCarthy and the wounding of Private McGrath is being conducted by the UNIFIL authorities. Protests regarding the incident have been made at local and diplomatic level. I understand that the Minister for Foreign Affairs met the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland this morning to express the Government's deep sense of shock and anger at the shooting dead of Corporal McCarthy and the wounding of Private McGrath, and that he has issued a statement in the matter.
The safety of Irish personnel serving with UNIFIL is kept under constant review. Troops selected for overseas service undergo a rigorous programme of training designed to help them carry out their peacekeeping mission and to provide for their protection. They are issued with a modern range of weapons and equipment, and operational procedures are geared to provide maximum safety for our troops consistent with the carrying out of their mission. In addition, physical security in the form of equipment and engineer works at posts and checkpoints is steadily being improved. Everything possible will continue to be done to enhance the level of protection and safety of our personnel on overseas duties.
On behalf of the Labour Party I wish to extend deepest sympathy to the widow and family and indeed colleagues of the late Corporal Michael McCarthy. The incident is a further indication of the danger that our soldiers face daily on their peacekeeping missions with UNIFIL. Is the Minister in a position to outline how many firings have been directed at or close to the Irish positions since January last, and can the sources of these be identified? Given that on 29 August last a strong protest was issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Israeli Ambassador, would the Minister agree that these protests were not strong enough or went unheeded? In the interests of the Irish soldiers overseas, would the Minister not accept that further action is required by the Government?
I do not have the figures available as to the number of shootings that have taken place, but there has been an increase in activity in this area in recent times. In total, 32 personnel serving with UNIFIL have died as a result of activities in Lebanon in the last number of years. In relation to the query regarding the Minister for Foreign Affairs, that Minister has made the strongest possible protest to the Israeli Ambassador. It is the Government's position that the UN Security Council resolution must be implemented by Israel to withdraw from Lebanon. It is also the position of the Government that the Israeli forces are responsible for the activities of the De Facto Forces because of the support they give to those forces, and the protest has been made in the strongest possible terms. A protest has been made at UN level and also, as I have said, at local and diplomatic level.
I too join with the Minister of State in expressing the sympathy of my party to the family of Corporal McCarthy and in wishing Private McGrath a speedy recovery. I commend wholeheartedly, on behalf of everybody, the bravery shown by Private Ryan during the course of this incident. Would the Minister of State confirm to the House that the so-called De Facto Forces, otherwise known as the South Lebanese Army, are officered, trained, equipped, paid and armed by the Israeli Defence Forces and the Israeli Government? Would he accept that, in view of the figures given in this House on 31 October to Deputy De Rossa, since the beginning of this year there have been 182 firings by these forces on UNIFIL troops, that the expression of regret from the Israeli authorities ring very hollow indeed——
Let us have brevity, please.
As the Minister has referred to the statement of the Minister for Foreign Affairs issued today, would he accept that any questions of retribution or justice being sought from the perpetrators must involve serious questions for the Israeli Government and the Israeli Defence Forces?
First, I would like to acknowledge the bravery of Private Ryan in relation to this incident, as was adverted to by Deputy McCartan. Again I come back to what I said earlier, which more or less mirrors what the Minister for Foreign Affairs has said in his statement, that as long as the Israeli authorities give logistical and moral support to the De Facto Forces, they are responsible for those forces. I acknowledge that, in relation to the number of incidents the Deputy mentioned, it would be of that order. As regards retribution, what we can do is make the strongest possible protest to the Israelis and the UN to bring the perpetrators of this dastardly deed to justice.
Does that include the Minister for Defence?
On behalf of the Fine Gael Party I express our condolences to Mrs. McCarthy and her children on the death of her husband in the service of the Irish Army and in the cause of world peace. I also send best wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded soldier, Private McGrath, and acknowledge the huge contribution made by our soldiers over many years towards peace and stability in Lebanon.
I wish to raise two issues. My original question was tabled to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and I would ask the Minister of State, if he has not the direct answers, to discuss the matter with the Minister. My first question arises out of the support given by Israel to the South Lebanese Army who occupy the area north of the Israeli border. Will every effort be made, if necessary by way of direct contact with the Prime Minister of Israel, to point out our absolute outrage at the activities of the South Lebanese Army and demand that the financing of that army by Israel be stopped, if only because of the death and destruction it has brought to Irish troops?
The second point I wish to make is that over the last number of months there has been a huge increase in incidents, mainly related to the Middle East conference, and there is a danger that such incidents may continue. I would like to raise with the Minister the fact that in May 1980 a conference was held of representatives of the 11 Governments who provided troops to UNIFIL in Lebanon, and arising out of that conference a number of diplomatic and political initiatives were taken which helped to calm the then difficult situation in South Lebanon. I suggest to the Minister of State, that they discuss the matter with his colleagues, the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and present to the Government a proposal that at least consideration be given to again holding such a conference so that not only the depth of our concern would be expressed but that we would get a united effort from all the forces contributing in Lebanon, thereby ensuring that our expressions of concern would have a greater impact at international level.
With regard to the Deputy's request that we make direct contact with the Israeli President, I think it is sufficient at present that the Minister for Foreign Affairs has called in the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland to make the strongest possible protest. In relation to the Deputy's suggestion of a proposed conference, I again reiterate what I said earlier, that the strongest possible protest was made both through diplomatic and local channels, and indeed at UN level. That is as much as can be done at this point.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I had hoped that we would bring this matter to finality. There are three Deputies offering and I will facilitate them but they must be brief. Brevity is the keynote now.
Are the UN continuing to patrol along the route where this fatality occured?
My understanding is that they are.
Would the Minister not agree that in view of the gravity of the situation it would be proper for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come in and inform the House of the outcome of his discussion today with the Israeli Ambassador? I accept that it may not be possible for the Minister to be present, but as the Minister of State is present, I believe it is important that we should have something more substantial than a statement for the media. It is extremely important that the House be informed of what transpired at today's meeting.
Will the Minister of State confirm that despite this tragic incident, and the growing number of such incidents in recent months, the Government have no intention of withdrawing our forces from participating in UNIFIL?
I understand that no such decision has been taken at this time. Obviously the authorities will keep the situation under constant review, of course the safety of our soldiers in Lebanon is of absolute and paramount importance.
Is it not a fact that in this same area, as well as the Christian forces which have the backing of the Israelis, there are also irregular forces which have the backing of the Syrians and other irregular forces which have the backing of the Iranians and that there has been an increasing number of fatalities, including Israeli and Christian soldiers, in the past few weeks, which was probably related to the Madrid conference?
With due respect to my colleague, I came here to answer questions on a particular incident and my answer is specific to that but I would acknowledge that there may well be an increase in activity of the other militia not related to the de facto forces.
That disposes of questions for today.