Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 9

Written Answers. - Irish Soldier's Death.

Mervyn Taylor

Question:

28 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the diplomatic action, if any, he has taken or proposes to take with the Iranian/Syrian Government regarding the incident which led to the loss of the life of an Irish soldier in Lebanon at the hands of the Hezbollah, Iranian and Syrian-backed group.

Ben Briscoe

Question:

89 Mr. Briscoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any protest was lodged with the Iranian Embassy, the Syrian Embassy or the United Nations following the tragic killing of a soldier (details supplied) and the wounding of one other Irish UN soldier by the Iranian/Syrian backed Hezbollah; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I wish to take Questions Nos. 28 and 89 together.

The killing of Corporal Peter Ward while serving with UNIFIL in South Lebanon on 29 September was an appalling and deplorable act. It is tragic that he should have been killed in the course of carrying out his peace-keeping duties and in a statement that day, I expressed my deep sympathy to Mrs. Ward and her children on the occasion of their terrible loss.

Irish military personnel make a vital contribution to the United Nations effort to maintain peace and security in South Lebanon. I pay tribute to their courage and dedication, and the exemplary standards they bring to the performance of their immensely difficult and sensitive task there.

The circumstances surrounding Corporal Ward's death were explained to the House by my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, on 7 October. A UN board of inquiry into the incident has been established but has yet to report and it remains to be determined which group or elements perpetrated the killing.

The Government's serious concern about this incident, and about the situation confronting UNIFIL, has already been raised at United Nations level and directly with the Governments of Iran, Lebanon and Syria. In our contacts with these Governments we underlined the paramount importance attached by Ireland to the safety and security of Irish peacekeeping personnel. We have stressed the need for all parties in South Lebanon to respect and co-operate with UNIFIL, to desist from firing on UNIFIL personnel and from engaging in activities that place UN peacekeepers in life-threatening situations. We also requested the Governments concerned to exert all the influence they can to ensure that the parties in South Lebanon exercise restraint and moderation. These Governments can be in no doubt about the seriousness with which we view incidents that affect UNIFIL in the performance of its peacekeeping duties.