Peter Barry
Ceist:50 Mr. Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of money owed to this State by the UN for peacekeeping duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3228/95]
Written Answers. - Money Owed by UN.
Ireland is at present owed £10,941,000 by the United Nations. This compares with a figure of £13.5 million around this time last year. Substantial arrears payments by the US to the UN last year resulted in Ireland receiving significant back payments. The bulk of the amount owed to Ireland (£9,842,000) arises from our participation in UNIFIL, and smaller amounts are owed for the operations in Somalia and Cyprus, as well as for miscellaneous transport costs.
Arrears owing to the State arising from Ireland's involvement in various United Nations peace-keeping operations have been a matter of concern for some years.
When I met Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali during my visit to the 49th session of the UN General Assembly in September 1994, I stressed our concerns on this issue.
While addressing the General Assembly last September I referred to the serious difficulties arising from under-funding peacekeeping operations, in part because of the failure of certain member states to pay their assessed contributions to the UN in full and on time.
I assure the Deputy that I will continue to pursue this matter. Our permanent mission to the UN in New York will also continue to press the issue with the relevant authorities.