Vol. 514 No. 5
121 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the amount owing to his Department by the United Nations in respect of contributions towards troop and other costs associated with the participation of Defence Forces personnel in UN missions; the moneys received over the past 24 months from the UN for these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4717/00]
The only missions for which Ireland is 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. Troop costs in respect of these missions are calculated at the rate of $1087.10 US per person per month.
The total amount owing to my Department by the United Nations as at 31 January 2000 in respect of contributions towards troop and other costs associated with the participation of Defence Force personnel in UN missions was calculated at IR£9.3 million approximately. Continuous efforts are made to recover from the United Nations the moneys owed. These efforts are strenuously pursued with the United Nations on an ongoing basis by the Department of Defence 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.
Since 1 January 1998, the UN has repaid arrears of £14.3 million approximately almost entirely in respect of UNIFIL.
