Members of the Defence Forces have been deployed for service with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) since 1978. Six hundred Defence Forces personnel are currently serving with the Irish contingent UNIFIL.
I would like to express my most sincere sympathy and that of my colleagues in Government to the families and relatives of Privates Lawlor, Fitzpatrick, Murphy and Deere who so tragically lost their lives on Monday morning in a traffic accident while serving with the 86th Irish Battalion in Lebanon. I would also like to express sympathy to the other Defence Forces personnel who were injured in the accident and to wish them a speedy recovery.
The UNIFIL mandate is reviewed by the United Nations Security Council every six months following a report by the secretary general of the United Nations. UN Security Council Resolution 1288 of 31 January 2000 has extended the mandate of UNIFIL for a further period of six months, i.e. until 31 July 2000.
On 12 October 1999 the Government approved the provision of a replacement contingent to UNIFIL comprising approximately 620 personnel all ranks for a six month period beginning 20 October 1999. The Government decision also allowed for preparations to be made for the selection, training and equipping of a further contingent of approximately 620 personnel all ranks to provide for the possibility of Ireland's continued participation in the UNIFIL peace-keeping force beyond January 2000 in the event of the further extension of the UNIFIL mandate. The approval of Government will be sought soon in relation to the continuation of participation by the Irish contingent in UNIFIL from April 2000, when the current contingent will be due to return home.
With regard to the Middle East peace process, I note with regret that the negotiation to conclude a framework agreement on permanent status issues have not been completed by the target date of 13 February. I also view with concern the escalation of violence in the region. I hope that the parties will resume negotiations on the permanent status talks without delay.
The level of their casualties in Lebanon led the Israeli Government to declare its intention to withdraw unilaterally from Lebanon if no agreement is reached with Syria. This could be as early as April. A disorderly Israeli withdrawal without the agreement of the Lebanese and Syrian governments could create difficulties for the UNIFIL contingent in Lebanon.