Michael Bell
Question:53 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the Lebanon to mark the end of the Irish mission with UNIFIL. [30636/01]
Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.
Jack Wall
Question:152 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the Lebanon to mark the end of the Irish mission with UNIFIL. [30545/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 152 together.
I visited Irish troops serving with the United Nations in Lebanon during the period 12 to 13 November 2001. During my visit I was accompanied by the Secretary General of the Department and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.
On 12 November I paid a courtesy call on the Acting Force Commander at UNIFIL HQ in Naquora. Later that day I paid a visit to Qana, the site of the massacre of approximately 100 civilians while in a UN compound in 1996. I travelled on to the headquarters of the Irish Battalion in Tibnin. I also met local leaders – mayors and muchtars – in Tibnin, Barashit, Haddatah and At Tiri.
The main purpose of my visit was to attend the marching out parade at 7 a.m. on 13 November at Tibnin which marked the withdrawal of the Irish contingent from UNIFIL after 23 years service in Lebanon. At the ceremony, the Irish Battalion headquarters, known as Camp Shamrock was handed over to the commanding officer of the Ghanaian Battalion who will now occupy it. This was an emotional occasion evoking primarily memories of those Irish Defence Force personnel who lost their lives while on service with UNIFIL, as well as the long period of involvement of successive Irish contingent personnel in the daily lives and culture of the people of South Lebanon. Ireland's contribution to UNIFIL has been highly valued by both the United Nations and the Lebanese people. The Irish contingent's programme of humanitarian aid to local people which was funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs was greatly appreciated. Our UNIFIL role was also of inestimable significance to the Defence Forces which obtained valuable training and experience in peacekeeping during those twenty three years in Lebanon. Ireland's considerable contribution to peace in Lebanon has reflected well on Ireland as a nation and has enhanced our reputation abroad.
On a previous visit to UNIFIL in September 2001, I unveiled a fitting and permanent memorial to those members of the Defence Forces who gave their lives in the service of peace in Lebanon.