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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Dec 1991

Vol. 414 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Troops with UNIFIL.

Madeleine Taylor-Quinn

Ceist:

6 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if he will arrange a meeting with the Israeli Defence Minister and members of the Israeli Government to register the strongest possible objections to the treatment of Irish troops on the United Nations peace-keeping missions in South Lebanon, which resulted in recent death and injury; and if he will convey to them the total abhorrence of the Irish people at the activities of the militia in the area.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

12 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Defence if he will now arrange to meet the Israeli Defence Minister to register the strongest possible protest on behalf of the Irish people against the continuous attacks on Irish troops serving on peace-keeping missions in South Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Michael D'Arcy

Ceist:

20 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the steps he has taken to ensure better security for our troops abroad on United Nations peace-keeping missions.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

41 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence the number of occasions, since the end of October 1991, on which Irish troops or positions have come under fire in the Lebanon; if he will identify the forces responsible in each case where their identity is known; if he has satisfied himself that security precautions are adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 12, 20 and 41 together.

Since the end of October 1991 Irish troops or positions in UNIFIL have come under fire on eight occasions. All of these firings have been attributed to the de facto forces. The most serious incident, which occurred on 15 November 1991, resulted in the death of Corporal Michael McCarthy and the wounding of Private Richard McGrath.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs met the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland on 19 November 1991 to express the Government's deep sense of shock and anger at this incident. This was the correct and appropriate way in which to have conveyed to the Israeli authorities at the highest level the deep displeasure and grave concern of the Irish Government at the killing and wounding of Irish soldiers. At the same time, assurances were sought regarding the control of the de facto forces and the steps necessary to prevent a recurrence. It may be taken that the incident has been protested to the Israeli authorities on behalf of the Government at the highest level and in the strongest possible terms. The incident was also the subject of a strong official protest by the United Nations Secretariat to the israeli Permanent Representative on 18 November.

Protests in respect of all firings and other serious incidents involving the de facto forces or the Israeli Defence Forces are made through UNIFIL Headquarters to the Israeli authorities.

All developments affecting the safety of Irish personnel serving in UNIFIL are closely monitored and security procedures are continually reviewed. Prior to departure on overseas service, troops undergo a comprehensive training programme which is specifically designed to assist them in carrying out their peace-keeping duties with maximum protection. Personnel are issued with a modern range of weapons and equipment. Operating procedures in Lebanon are geared to provide maximum safety for our troops. Irish positions are defensively fortified and bunker facilities are provided for all personnel. Every effort will continue to be made to ensure the greatest possible protection for our troops on overseas service.

I thank the Minister for his detailed reply, particularly in relation to the present defence positions that are being taken to ensure as much security as possible for our soldiers. In the past, the Minister for Foreign Affairs made strong objections to the Israeli Ambassador and so have the UN. Those channels have been gone through in relation to the previous eight attacks on Irish troops in Lebanon but unfortunately, they seem to have been of no avail. The end result has been that this misfortunate member of the Army, Corporal McCarthy, was killed and Corporal McGrath was wounded. While those protests have been made, and the Minister has made a protest very recently, they seem to have been ineffective since a member of the Irish Army has been killed, is the Minister in a position to meet the Israeli Minister for Defence and, indeed any other member of the Israeli Government soon to register directly the strongest possible protest about the appalling behaviour of the de facto forces in Lebanon?

The most effective and appropriate way to convey the Government's feelings and views to the Israeli Government is through our Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Israeli Ambassador. The Minister made a very strong case, objected very strongly and conveyed the serious concern of the Government about recent happenings in Lebanon. I understand that the Israeli military authorities sent, for the first time, a message of sympathy and regret to our military authorities. When I visited Lebanon in 1988 I took the opportunity to visit Israel to meet with the then Israeli Minister for Defence, Mr. Rabin, when I conveyed to him in the strongest possible terms the Government's concern and objections to the methods applied by the Israelis in South Lebanon. A large number of incidents have occurred since then. Indeed, since the killing of Corporal McCarthy, there has been a number of less serious incidents in South Lebanon, again, involving de facto forces. I would like to assure the Deputy that the Government are concerned about these incidents. Should they continue to occur we will lodge, in the most forceful manner possible, our protests and objections. The Government will obviously also have to consider what other action can be taken.

We must now proceed to other questions.

May I ask one final supplementary?

Please, Deputy; we have clearly gone over time.

We are six months over time.

May I ask the Minister if he will register our protest by writing to the Minister for Defence indicating that this House condemns the actions of the militia in South Lebanon?

I will be happy to convey the views of the House to him.

We must now proceed to other questions. Question No. 7, please.

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