Vol. 432 No. 8
20 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the total amount outstanding to the Department of Defence from the United Nations in regard to Irish participation in UN operations; the progress, if any, that has been made with regard to the clearing of the debt; if he will request the UN to clear the debt before any further commitments are entered into; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A total of about £12.4 million is currently due to this Department by the United Nations. Of this amount, £11.5 million relates to involvement in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. The remaining shortfall of £0.9 million arises out of participation in the United Nations Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus.
The amount outstanding in respect of Irish involvement in UN peace-keeping operations is the subject of ongoing representations to the United Nations by the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs made both bilaterally and in conjunction with our partners in the European Community. I wrote recently to the Secretary General of the United Nations regarding the arrears of reimbursements and, since then a payment of more than £0.9 million has been received in respect of UNIFIL arrears. I will continue to pursue this matter vigorously.
While I am very concerned about the considerable sum still due to this country by the United Nations, the position regarding requests, for additional personnel for UN missions is that any such request will be considered on the merits in the prevailing circumstances.
