Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 May 1992

Vol. 420 No. 4

Adjournment Debate. - Safety of Irish Troops in Lebanon.

Mr. G. O'Sullivan

At the outset I would like to thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this very important issue on the Adjournment. From listening to the news this evening it appears that this debate is opportune, relating to a matter that is a cause of concern in this country. The serious incident which occurred last Monday when two Israeli gunships attacked with rocket fire a house adjacent to a United Nations checkpoint manned by Irish troops must be condemned by this House as completely unacceptable and unwarranted. While acknowledging the pin-point accuracy of this type of missile fire, it must be clearly stated that where Irish troops are carrying out United Nations duties this activity must cease. For some considerable time Lebanon has been a troubled spot. There is now a build-up of troops from both the Israeli and Hezbollah sides and it is feared that this could become a major flash point in the Middle East. While obvious moves are being made by international powers to try to defuse the situation it must be the concern of this Government to safeguard the lives of Irish troops in Lebanon.

In the recent Estimate debate well deserved tributes were paid to our Irish soldiers who served with distinction over many years and in many parts of the world in the service of the United Nations. They have been renowned for their handling of delicate and sensitive issues and have a reputation for their restraint, despite extreme provocation at times. The ultimate sacrifice has been made by the Irish Army in their peace-keeping role with the United Nations. Irish personnel know that they are going into a trouble spot which has its dangers but I wish to spell out to this House where these dangers can and must be avoided. I do not think it is beyond the ability of the Israeli military command to warn UN personnel that an attack is imminent. We know that modern warfare and technology can, with uncanny accuracy, hit a particular target. It is also a fact that hundreds of casualties resulted from so-called friendly fire in the Gulf War. Many of us remember the horrible sight of body bags coming back to Britain and the United States. I do not wish to see bodies returned to this country, with sympathy from either the Israelis or Hezbollah people, because of mistaken identity or human error.

It is a matter of serious concern that Irish troops are once again in the firing line. I would request the Minister to call in the Israeli and Syrian ambassadors and outline to them the restraints that are necessary to safeguard the lives of Irish people carrying out their peace-keeping role in Lebanon. I know the Minister has made strong protests to the various factions involved. However, much more needs to be done. This Government should take urgent action to safeguard Irish lives.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Wilson)

I fully share the Deputy's concern at the situation in Lebanon in which Irish troops serving with UNIFIL have been endangered as a result of attacks by the Israeli Defence Forces on positions within the Irish area of operations.

Approximately 750 Irish personnel are serving with UNIFIL. The UN force occupy a buffer zone along Lebanon's southern border with Israel. However, contrary to the UN mandate, Israel has not withdrawn completely from Lebanon, maintaining a self-declared security zone within the area which should be occupied exclusively by UN forces. Within this Israeli zone, armed compounds manned mainly by a locally recruited militia force are on occasion attacked by local armed elements leading to Israeli-militia retaliation which is often indiscriminate.

In recent days Israeli aircraft have struck at a number of targets alleged to be Hezbóllah positions. On Monday, 25 May, in the course of these operations Israeli helicopters fired two precision guided air to surface missiles at a house located 60 metres from a position occupied by Irish UN personnel.

On being informed of the attack I immediately requested the Department of Foreign Affairs to convey forthwith the Government's serious concern over the incident to the Israeli authorities. The protest was made by telephone to a senior official at the Israeli embassy. It was emphasised that such activities are completely unacceptable to the Irish Government. It was pointed out that two air to surface missiles had been fired from a height of 1,000 metres at a house adjacent to a clearly marked Irish UNIFIL checkpoint and that it was fortunate that no Irish UNIFIL personnel had been killed or injured in what was a potentially life-threatening and irresponsible action.

The Government's concern at the build-up of tension in the Irish area of operations in recent days was also stressed. There was an appeal for restraint by all sides and for a restoration of calm in the area. Israeli authorities were requested to avoid any recurrence of incidents that imperilled the safety of Irish UNIFIL personnel and were urged to cooperate with UNIFIL. The Israeli official undertook to convey our concerns to his authorities without delay and to advise us of any response they may have. No response has yet been received.

The general position in the Irish UNIFIL area of operations remains calm. The UN Secretary-General has issued a statement expressing deep concern at the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East, in which Israelis, Lebanese and Palestinians have been killed and injured. The Secretary-General said that he believed that a continuation of hostilities could only heighten tensions in the region, and might even jeopardise the efforts that are presently under way to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict. He urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint so that the momentum achieved thus far in the peace process might be sustained.

All incidents involving the death or injury of Irish UNIFIL personnel have been the subject of protest by the UNIFIL authorities to the Israeli Defence Forces. Protests at Government and diplomatic level have also been made as necessary to the Israeli authorities.

I can assure the House that 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. This is very important. All developments affecting the safety of Irish personnel serving in UNIFIL are closely monitored and security procedures are continually reviewed. Personnel are issued with a modern range of weapons and equipment and operational procedures in Lebanon are geared to provide maximum safety for our troops, consistent with the carrying out of their mission. Irish positions are defensively fortified and bunker facilities are provided for all personnel. Every effort will continue to be made to ensure the greatest possible protection for our troops on overseas service. Reports by the media of a build-up of troops in certain areas are not true. We have no evidence of that as of now.