Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 3

Written Answers. - UN Compensation.

Michael Bell

Question:

91 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made regarding his Department's representations to the United Nations regarding outstanding moneys from the UN for compensation in respect of deaths and injuries to Irish soldiers serving with the UN in Lebanon and Cyprus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17782/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The Department of Foreign Affairs makes ongoing efforts through Ireland's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York to recover the full value of claims made against the UN in respect of death and disability incidents affecting Irish personnel in UNIFIL and UNFICYP.

A total of £8.382 million has been received from the UN in respect of these incidents with a sum of £0.833 million currently outstanding. The latter sum includes a figure of £0.171 million, a claim for which was submitted only at the end of January 2001. Some £7.413 million of the moneys received has been obtained since 1996.