Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 4

Other Questions. - Defence Forces Personnel.

Peadar Clohessy

Ceist:

21 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Defence the number of requests which have been received by his Department in 1996 to supply Defence Forces personnel for service outside the State; the dates on which such requests were received; the organisation or agency which made each request; the nature, duration and location of the missions to which the requests related; the number of personnel requested in each case; the ranks and skill type requested in each case; the date on which a decision was made by his Department in respect of each case; the nature of the decision in each case; if the request was refused; the reason for such refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7156/97]

Mr. Barrett

Ten requests to supply Defence Forces personnel for service outside the State were received during 1996. Details of these requests are as follows:

— a request was received from the United Nations on 2 January 1996 for two ammunition technical officers for deployment to Croatia and Bosnia for approximately six weeks. Deployment was approved on 8 January. However, the United Nations indicated that as there was already an adequate number of suitable personnel deployed they would not be taking up our offer;

— a request dated 5 February 1996 was received from the United Nations seeking our agreement to the redeployment of five military observers serving with the United Nations Peace Forces (in the former Yugoslavia) to the United Nations missions in Croatia, Eastern Slavonia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. These missions have a one year tour of duty. The required redeployments took place on 29 February 1996. These personnel were replaced by five other Irish personnel at the end of their tours of duty;

— a request dated 14 March 1996 was received from the United Nations seeking explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams to operate with the United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia (UNTAES) for a period of about nine months. It was indicated that each team would consist of two or three personnel of a rank no higher than captain. The duties would involve demining and destruction of unexploded ordnance and booby traps. The request was declined on 16 July 1996 on the basis of the inherent great dangers associated with participation in UNTAES on the types of duties contained in the request;

— the United Nations issued a request on 4 April 1996 seeking to increase the number of Irish military personnel serving with the United Nations Preventative Deployment Force in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (UNPREDEP) from one to two observers, the tour of duty to be for one year. The request was met on 18 April and deployment took place on 18 May;

— HMD International, a UK-based charity issued a request in April 1996 for up to 15 military personnel to take part in a hospital rehabilitation programme in Angola for a period of 3 months, with the possibility that some of the personnel might require replacement at the end of the three month period. The request was approved at the end of May and arrangements were made to select volunteers. However, the Angolan Hospital rehabilitation programme has been deferred until sponsorship has been agreed between HMD and its donors. It is anticipated that a revised request will be received from HMD when they are ready to implement this programme;

— on 21 May 1996, the United Nations requested an engineering officer for assignment to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations United Nations New York, for a period of one year. On 10 June 1996, it was decided not to accede to the request due to priority commitments at home;

— requests were received from the Department of Foreign Affairs on 24 June last for the provision of two monitors for the municipal elections in Mostar and for the appointment of a presidency co-ordinator to liaise between the EU Administration in Mostar and the presidency. The requests were approved on 27 June and the required personnel were provided;

— a request for an unspecified number of liaison officers to operate with the Civilian Security Liaison Group for Rwandese and Burundi refugee camps in Zaire was received from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on 4 July 1996. The duration of the mission was not specified and the request was declined on 25 July 1996 due to existing commitments to United Nations Peacekeeping operations;

— as a result of a United Nations Security Council Resolution adopted on 15 November 1996 the Government offered to supply up to 100 troops to the Canadianled Multinational Force for the purpose of providing humanitarian aid in the Great Lakes region of Africa. This force was not deployed and was stood down on 15 December 1996;

— in November 1996 Trócaire submitted a request for the release of four military personnel to assist with their emergency programme in Rwanda and Zaire. However, in view of the rapidly changing situation in that area, the number that will actually be required is unclear at present and discussions with Trócaire are ongoing.

Mr. Molloy

I am greateful to the Minister for his detailed reply. The sensitive information indicates the extent and variety of the operations to which Defence Forces personnel are assigned by the Government to serve under the United Nations flag. In view of the large number of Defence Forces personnel serving in different parts of the world in fragile security situations, I am sure the Minister would agree that it is important to ensure the provision of adequate facilities to support them. Is the Minister aware that in the case of personnel losing their lives on a UN mission, their widows do not receive the full UN widow's pension applicable and payable in those circumstances? If not, will he look into it and see if something can be done to improve the situation? It seems to be a penny-pinching exercise on the part of the Department of Finance or whichever Department is responsible.

Mr. Barrett

I will certainly have a look at the situation and report to the Deputy. Like the Deputy I have the greatest admiration for our troops who serve on missions abroad, all of whom do so on a voluntary basis. They are people who are prepared to commit themselves to dangerous, unpleasant tasks. That is the calibre of people we have in the Defence Forces and we are very fortunate to have them. They deserve everything they get, and I will endeavour to ensure that whatever compensation or comforts can be provided will be provided.

Mr. Power

When does the Government intend to ratify the convention on the safety of United Nations and associated personnel? How do the numbers in the Defence Forces volunteering for overseas service in 1996 compare with those of previous years?

Mr. Barrett

We have managed to fulfil all our obligations. We had some difficulties last year in relation to the Lebanon. One must remember that service with the United Nations is on a voluntary basis. The inconsistency of recruitment to the Defence Forces has meant that people who served in the Lebanon have done so on many occasions and, because it is voluntary, people cannot be forced. Fortunately, we were able to fulfil our engagements there and I am quite confident that we will be able to do so again in the future The situation will be eased by the influx of young recruits who, as soon as they are trained, will be available to serve.

As to the Deputy's other question, that matter is with the Department of Foreign Affairs who sponsor the moving of the appropriate motion, and we have been in touch with them asking them to do so as soon as it is humanly possible.