Gino Kenny
Question:60. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on his recent trip to Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5167/23]
View answerThursday, 2 February 2023
Questions (60, 64, 70)
James Lawless
Question:64. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on his trip to Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4736/23]
View answer
Seán Haughey
Question:70. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on his meeting with the Lebanese Defence Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4699/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 64 and 70 together.
Having visited Lebanon in May 2022 as Taoiseach, I wanted to make an early return to Camp Shamrock in my capacity as Minister for Defence. The tragic death of Private Seán Rooney on 14th December made that return visit to Lebanon even more important.
During my visit to Lebanon last week, I was accompanied by the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Ms Jacqui McCrum, and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lt Gen Seán Clancy.
The visit was an important opportunity for me to meet with members of the 121st Infantry Battalion, UNIFIL. I conveyed my sympathies and those of the Government to the colleagues of Private Seán Rooney on their loss and I expressed our heartfelt appreciation as they continue to fulfil their duties with the professionalism and dedication that one associates with the Defence Forces.
I also visited the memorial at Tibnine and laid a wreath in honour of all the Irish personnel who died while serving with UNIFIL over the years. Sadly, Pte. Rooney's name is now listed as one of the 48 Irish solders who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the cause of peace in Lebanon.
Pte. Rooney’s death is currently the subject of a number of parallel investigations.
During the visit, I had a number of separate meetings in Beirut, with the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, as well as the Lebanese Minister for Defence, Mr Maurice Sleem, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs & Emigrants, Dr Abdullah Bou Habib.
UN Under Secretary General Lacroix committed to make available to Ireland the UNIFIL investigation report into the tragic incident of 14th December following its completion, which is likely to be some time in February.
I underlined to the Lebanese Defence and Foreign Ministers the need to ensure that the ongoing Lebanese investigation into Private Rooney's death, is as thorough as possible. I reiterated the Irish Government's determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident in which Private Rooney was killed, are fully established and that those responsible are brought to justice.
I also thanked the Ministers for the expressions of sympathy from the Lebanese Government and I assured both Ministers that Ireland remains committed to continuing its support for Lebanon, as part of the UNIFIL mission since 1978, as well as having provided significant humanitarian support for many years. We also discussed a number of other issues, including the political and economic issues in Lebanon and the ongoing conflict in Syria.
During my meetings with UN officials, I gave an assurance of Ireland’s continued commitment, within its capability, to contribute troops to UN missions, including UNIFIL.