Vol. 491 No. 7
4 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if he has received a report on the occurrences in south Lebanon on 26 May 1998; if he is satisfied that all necessary equipment and facilities necessary to deal with these occurrences are available to Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13226/98]
114 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline recent events in Lebanon where Irish forces came under fire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13172/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 114 together.
The report which I have received from the military authorities concerning this matter indicates the following sequence of events. On 26 May 1998, 11 De Facto Force personnel on foot and three in a jeep came to AT-TIRI crossroads from AT-TIRI and Haddathah compounds. Shortly afterwards two mortar rounds were fired from an unknown location to a position 100 metres south west of an IRISHBATT position. During the day armed elements fired a total of 61 x mortar rounds, 60 x anti-aircraft rounds, 1 x missile and 350 rounds of heavy machine gun-light machine gun fire towards De Facto Force compounds as well as towards a helicopter in the vicinity of Haddathah compound. As a result of this fire the Israeli Defence Force-Israeli Air Force as well as De Facto Forces retaliated with a heavy bombardment using mortar, tank rounds, heli rockets and an aerial bomb resulting in 12 firings close to IRISHBATT positions.
Apart from certain personnel who were required to undertake necessary observing and monitoring duties, all personnel were in secure bunkers during the firing. There were no injuries to IRISHBATT personnel or damage to locations or equipment. During the shelling IRISHBATT evacuated children from Tibnin school by armoured personnel carrier to the IRISHBATT area. IRISHBATT post 6-44 at AT-TIRI confirmed that one De Facto Force casualty was removed by ambulance from AT-TIRI village and IRISHBATT post 6-40c at AL YATUN reported that one armed element body was removed from a house in the vicinity of the post.
On the following morning armed elements fired 13 mortar rounds towards Haddathah. During this firing one mortar round from the general area of Haddathah school impacted within five to ten metres of the transport billet at IRISHBATT position 6-38 at Haddathah. The round impacted on an earth mound which absorbed the impact. There were no injuries to IRISHBATT personnel who were in secure bunkers during the firing. The circumstances of these firings were reported by IRISHBATT to UNIFIL headquarters which in turn has initiated protests to the Israeli and Lebanese authorities through the usual UNIFIL liaison channels.
Additional Information.
With regard to the question of the safety of Irish troops in their execution of the UNIFIL mandate, it is obviously not possible to give absolute guarantees as to their safety. I can, however, give an assurance that none of the troops is exposed to any unnecessary risks and all possible precautions are taken to ensure their safety. The Irish Battalion has specially designed secure bunkers in each of its positions and personnel move to these bunkers in the event of impending attacks. Some personnel remain in secure observation posts during these attacks to ensure the necessary observation and monitoring of activities in their area continues. Physical security in the form of equipment and engineer works at posts and checkpoints is continually being improved.
Our troops are issued with a modern range of weapons and equipment and operational procedures are geared to provide maximum safety for them consistent with the carrying out of their mission.
The Minister has given a detailed reply, particularly in regard to the action that took place on the day in question. I am more concerned about the facilities available to our Defence Forces in the Lebanon. Is he confident they meet the necessary criteria to deal with such attacks and the shells that do not explode at the time? According to media reports our troops came under exceptionally heavy fire on the date in question?
While it may not be true to say they came under very heavy fire, they were certainly close to a great deal of action. We objected in the strongest possible terms to the Lebanese and Israeli authorities about this. The accommodation and bunkers in the Lebanon are secure. The safety of Irish troops is of paramount importance to me, the Government and all other Members. Like the previous Administration, we are continuing to upgrade equipment to provide the best possible safeguard in all circumstances. However, it is not possible to guarantee in every situation and it must be kept under review in the context of our obligations to the UN in a case by case examination of where we go. Everything possible will be done to make sure resources are available for the highest level of protection for our troops.
I refer to media reports that the Norwegian Army is considering withdrawal of its troops from the Lebanon. Given that they have worked with Irish troops for the past 20 years, what effect will that have on our policy in the area? Is there a connection between both armies in the Lebanon and what effect will it have on our troops?
We gave a commitment which has been given over the years to continue serving the UN mandate in south Lebanon until the security situation, international peace and the withdrawal of Israeli forces is resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned. There is no question of any interference with that mandate, notwithstanding what other countries might decide. We are very proud of our 20 years' service and there have been many positive developments in the provision of new infrastructure and the return of life to normal in general. Incidents, however serious, have reduced over recent years and we want to see that continuing. However, we will welcome the day when we can leave south Lebanon and the people of that country have a peaceful solution to their problems.
Question No. 5 cannot be taken as Deputy Stanton is not present. We will proceed to Question No. 6.
