The Department replied on 8th October 2010 to a query received from the newspaper in question regarding amounts due to Ireland, from the United Nations (UN), in respect of peacekeeping operations. As of 30th September 2010, the UN owed Ireland approximately €5.6 million. However, on 11th October a payment of approximately €5 million was received from the UN, thereby reducing the amount currently owed to Ireland to €0.6 million in respect of UNIFIL (Lebanon), sea/air transport costs.
The €5 million UN payment was in respect of equipment deployed by the Defence Forces to the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT). In accordance with the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding agreed between Ireland and the UN for Ireland's contribution of troops and equipment to MINURCAT, all costs have now been received. A claim is currently being processed by the Department for submission to the UN in respect of costs associated with the withdrawal of the Irish Contingent from MINURCAT. Since 01 January 2010, the UN has paid a total of €8m approximately to Ireland in respect of costs associated with the deployment of Defence Forces personnel to UN missions, the bulk of which was in respect of the MINURCAT mission.