asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of recent events, he is now satisfied that the lives of Army personnel in the Middle East are adequately safe-guarded.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Middle East Conflict.
35.
The safety of Irish Army personnel serving with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation in the Middle East, in which Ireland provides the fourth largest contingent, has been engaging my attention since the recent out-break of hostilities. I have instructed our Permanent Representative to keep in continuous contact with the Secretary-General in the matter and the Secretary-General, who receives daily reports on the situation of the personnel in question, has confirmed that everything possible is being done to ensure their safety. The latest report I have received today indicates that all Irish Army personnel are safe.
In this connection—although the question relates only to Army personnel—it may be of interest to state that although the apartments of three of the Irish Army officers in Damascus were wrecked, all the families in Damascus have been evacuated safely to Beirut. Furthermore, the senior Irish Army officer serving in the Middle East has been requested to visit Beirut and report at first hand regarding the position of those so evacuated. If his report indicates that the wives and families wish to be or should be further evacuated from Beirut, as some of them have been already, the necessary arrangements will be made. I should like to take this opportunity of paying tribute to the manner in which Irish officers serving with UNTSO, in circumstances of great difficulty, have been carrying out their appropriate duties.
I understand that these families in Beirut are suffering because of not having any money, clothes or homes and I wonder whether the Minister would look into that aspect of the matter?
They have had to leave their homes in Damascus and are at present in hotels.
The information we have today from New York from the United Nations indicates that they have been put up by two Beirut Hotels. This has been organised by the head of the local UN RWA Office under Commissioner General Sir J. Rennie. There is no question of the evacuees not being in a position to pay for their accommodation. As far as money is concerned, we are assured there is no question of financial distress. Evacuees could obtain $100 on leaving Damascus. UNTSO, Beirut, would provide also cheque-cashing facilities and a per diem allowance reimbursable by the officer of government or the local equivalent of $26 for a wife and $13 for each child. In addition, money for air transport home would be advanced if requested. These facilities are, of course, available from the United Nations to all nationalities on an equal footing.
May I ask if the very serious position which has developed in the Middle East will be fully considered by the Government?
I am not quite sure what the Deputy has in mind. The ceasefire which has been arranged and which is now effective in respect of one front, subject to certain breaches of it which I think are being brought under control, is something which will require to be policed. It is the function of these officers to assist in that task, although indeed the scale of policing required may go beyond the existing UN arrangements, and we do not yet know what further arrangements will be made. However, their presence there at this moment is of great importance pending any other arrangements and the Government will naturally reconsider the matter as the situation evolves.
May I have the permission of the House to deal with the last two questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs?
36.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to ensure the safety of Irish nationals who are at present in the war stricken Middle East zone; the steps he is taking to locate these persons and to effect their immediate evacuation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Before the out-break of the present fighting in the Middle East arrangements had been made with the British authorities to undertake the consular protection of Irish citizens in Israel and Jordan and, in conjunction with our honorary consulate in Beirut, of our citizens in Lebanon and Syria. Under these arrangements Irish citizens located in the areas are included in whatever evacuation plans are considered necessary for their own citizens. Similar arrangements have been made with the Italian authorities in respect of Irish citizens in Egypt.