asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when representations are being made to recover the money due from the United Nations in respect of Irish troops service on various peace-keeping missions; and the frequency of such representations.
Written Answers. - U N Peace-keeping Operations Costs.
72.
The USA and the USSR have the largest arrears in respect of UN peace-keeping. I avail of every suitable occasion to raise with their representatives the desirability of paying these arrears at an early date and this point has been made to them many times. I have also discussed the question with the UN Secretary General who is, of course, concerned about the financial situation of peace-keeping forces.
Both the USA and the USSR have stated their intention to pay their assessed contributions to UNIFIL in full and to repay the amounts they owe over a number of years. The amount due to Ireland in respect of UN peace-keeping operations now stands at £18.2 million, of which £17.5 million relates to UNIFIL and £0.7 million to UNFICYP. We expect a considerable reduction in the UNIFIL deficit as these arrears are paid.