Dinny McGinley
Question:42 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Defence the amount of money outstanding to his Department from the United Nations; and the efforts, if any, being made to receive this payment. [9264/99]
Written Answers. - Reimbursement of Troop Costs.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:132 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the amount of money outstanding to his Department from the United Nations; and the efforts, if any, being made to receive this payment. [9324/99]
Ivor Callely
Question:147 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the position with regard to moneys owed to the Government from the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9470/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 132 and 147 together.
As I indicated in my reply to the House on 30 March 1999, the only missions for which Ireland is entitled to reimbursement of troop costs by the UN are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and the United Nations Interim Force in Cyprus. Troop costs in respect of these missions are calculated at the rate of US $1087.10 per person per month.
On 31 March 1999 the total amount owing to my Department by the United Nations in respect of contributions towards troop and other costs associated with the participation of Defence Force personnel in UN missions was calculated at IR£8.4 million approximately.
Continuous efforts are made by this country to recover moneys owed from the United Nations. These efforts are strenuously pursued with the United Nations on an ongoing basis by this Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations in New York. Both my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and I take every opportunity to raise with the UN Ireland's concerns regarding arrears. During the recent visit of the UN Secretary General to Ireland the opportunity was taken to raise Ireland's concern about arrears owing in respect of our participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Over the six months to 26 March, the UN repaid arrears of £4.5 million, almost entirely in respect of UNIFIL.