asked the Minister for Defence the number of troops serving overseas in the Congo, and the period at which their term of service expires; whether at the expiration of that period they are to be replaced by fresh units; and the cost of maintaining this force in the Congo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Troops on Congo Service.
88.
There are 694 officers and men serving with the 36th Battalion at Elizabethville and in addition there are 33 officers and men who have been made available for duty at the United Nations Headquarters, Leopoldville. The normal tour of duty in the Congo is six months which in the case of the main body of the 36th Battalion will expire in June of this year. Those serving at United Nations Headquarters, Leopoldville will be due for repatriation at varying dates. The question of providing a further Battalion to replace the 36th Battalion in the Congo will be considered shortly.
With regard to the cost of maintaining this force in the Congo the position is that the United Nations bears all expenditure which would not have arisen in the normal course if the troops had not been made available.