Noel O'Flynn
Ceist:118 Mr. O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the amount of money which remains unpaid to Ireland by the United Nations in respect of each tour of UN peacekeeping duties undertaken by the Army since 1955. [8827/99]
Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.
As I indicated in my reply to the House on 25 February 1999, the only missions for which Ireland is entitled to reimbursement of troop costs by the UN are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the United Nations Interim Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Troop costs in respect of these missions are calculated at the rate of $1087.10 US per person per month.
On 29 March 1999, the total amount owing to my Department by the United Nations in respect of contributions towards troop and other costs associated with the participation of Defence Force personnel in UN missions was calculated at IR£8.4 million approximately. The breakdown is as follows:
|
£ (million) |
|
|
UNIFIL mission |
6.7 |
|
UNFICYP mission |
1.1 |
|
UNOSOM II mission |
*0.6 |
*Balance outstanding of claim for reimbursement of cost of contingent owned equipment arising from participation by the Defence Forces in the Second United Nations Operations in Somalia (UNOSOM 11) during the period 8/8/1993-15/1/1995.
Continuous efforts are made by this country to recover from the United Nations moneys owed. These efforts are strenuously pursued with the United Nations on an ongoing basis by this Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations in New York. Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Defence take every opportunity to raise with the UN Ireland's concerns regarding arrears.