Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 4

Written Answers. - UN Debts.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

30 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of money owed to Ireland by the United Nations arising from involvement in UN peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations; the steps, if any, Ireland is taking to exert pressure on other countries to discharge their debts to the UN in order that its financial position will be strengthened; the countries which are in default or in arrears in regard to payments to the UN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4326/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

As of 31 January 2000, Ireland was owed IR£9,338,858 for the cost of providing Irish personnel to United Nations peacekeeping missions abroad. The only missions for which Ireland is currently entitled to reimbursement of troop costs by the UN are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, and the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, UNFICYP. During 1999, the UN repaid arrears of approximately £5.5 million to Ireland, almost entirely in respect of UNIFIL.

Continuous efforts are made by the Department of Foreign Affairs to recover moneys owed from the United Nations. The Department, through the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, makes ongoing representations to the United Nations headquarters in this regard.

The financial crisis which hinders the UN from paying outstanding moneys is a direct result of the failure by many member states, in particular the US, to pay their assessed contributions to the UN regular and peacekeeping budgets in full and on time. This situation has resulted in a serious day-to-day UN cash flow problem. Ireland and its EU partners have strenuously argued that all UN member states must honour their financial obligations.

The US is the major debtor and any improvement in its arrears would ease the situation considerably. The United States Administration has now tabled a plan agreed with Congress to deal with the arrears problem which also contains proposals for reform of the UN financing system. Detailed negotiations on these matters are due to commence at the United Nations in mid-March and Ireland, together with our EU partners, will participate constructively in the process.

A successful outcome to the UN financial crisis will lead to a reduction and eventual clearance of debts owing to Ireland and other troop contributing countries. In the meantime Ireland's permanent mission to the UN in New York will continue to actively pursue the outstanding amounts of arrears.