I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.
As I indicated to the House on 1 June, the death of Private William Kedian and the injuries to Private Ronald Rushe and Private Darren Clarke on 31 May while serving with the 85th Irish Battalion in Lebanon were the subject of immediate protest by UNIFIL Headquarters, Naquora to the Israeli Defence Forces who undertook to conduct an investigation at the highest level. A formal letter of protest was lodged by UNIFIL with the Israeli Defence Forces on 2 June. A preliminary report was also forwarded immediately by UNIFIL Headquarters to United Nations Headquarters, New York. The United Nations Secretary-General condemned the attack. The United Nations Headquarters conveyed a strong protest in the matter to the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations who had been summoned to United Nations Headquarters. A letter was also sent to the President of the Security Council with the details of the incident.
At my request the Minister for Foreign Affairs summoned the Israeli ambassador to Ireland to Leinster House on 1 June to protest the matter to the Israeli authorities. The Minister for Foreign Affairs expressed great concern at the loss of life and serious injury to Irish peacekeeping personnel and, on behalf of the Government, protested the incident of 31 May in the strongest possible terms. He also expressed the Government's grave concern at the pattern of recent incidents involving firing close to and at IRISHBATT positions. He insisted that there must be an immediate cessation of such incidents and demanded that the Israeli Government take firm action to prevent such targeting of the UNIFIL contingent. In response, the ambassador regretted the loss of life and injury and undertook to report to his authorities.
In view of the continuing escalation of hostile activity in the UNIFIL area of operations and the risks which this posed for Irish personnel serving there, I decided to visit the area from 20 to 22 June to see the situation for myself and, more importantly, to raise the seriousness of the situation with both the Israeli and Lebanese authorities and to seek assurances that the recent reckless shelling of IRISHBATT positions by the Israeli Defence Force/ de facto forces and the armed elements (Hizbollah) would not recur. During the course of my visit I met both the Lebanese Minister of Defence and the Israeli Minister of Defence. I sought assurances from both my Lebanese and Israeli counterparts that there would not be a recurrence of these recent serious shelling incidents. I indicated to both sides that, while Ireland is committed to the UNIFIL mission, should there not be a cessation of such incidents, serious consideration would have to be given to the withdrawal of the Irish contingent.
Arising from an incident on 20 May, involving an IRISHBATT position which resulted in extensive damage to the post, including the destruction of a UN truck, I requested that the Department of Foreign Affairs protest the matter to the Lebanese authorities and on 3 June the Irish ambassador at Cairo, who is accredited to Lebanon, had lodged an official protest with the Lebanese ambassador to Egypt. The Lebanese Minister for Defence expressed regret at the recent incidents and reaffirmed the gratitude of the Lebanese Government and people for the presence of the Irish UNIFIL troops. He assured me that the grave concern expressed regarding the present situation would be raised at Cabinet and with other contacts.
During my meeting with the Israeli Minister of Defence I stressed to him the utmost gravity with which the Government regard the recent incidents involving Irish troops, including the death of Private Kedian and the critical wounding of Private Rushe. As the House will be aware, in an earlier incident in February last, Corporal Noel Roche and Private John Flaherty were injured when their post was fired on. Further heavy shelling on 10 June resulted in damage to Irish positions but, fortuitously, there was not loss of life on that occasion.
On 11 June, at my request, a further strong protest was lodged by the Department of Foreign Affairs with the Israeli ambassador, following which the Irish ambassador to Israel also lodged a protest with the Israeli Minister for Foreign Affairs on 15 June. In response to the very strong protest which I made, the Israeli Defence Minister said he was very disturbed by recent events in South Lebanon but that the situation was very difficult and complex there. Referring to the Southern Lebanese Army, the Minister said that while they were trained, equipped and paid by Israel, they did not take their orders from Israel. He undertook that explicit instructions would be given to the SLA arising from my protest but that it was difficult to give full assurances regarding a cessation of firing incidents such as I had sought.
Additional Information.
The safety of Irish personnel serving overseas is always of paramount concern to me and the Government. While absolute guarantees cannot be given with regard to the safety of troops serving in missions such as UNIFIL, it is my policy to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are adequately trained and equipped to carry out their mission. Each post within Irish UNIFIL area of operations has reinforced concrete bunkers specifically designed to withstand direct and indirect fire from heavy weapons. Rigorous operational procedures are in place to ensure that personnel occupy these bunkers in a timely fashion should the need arise. In such an eventuality, protected minimum duty personnel remain in place to ensure that operational activity is observed and reported. Physical security in the form of equipment and engineer works at posts and checkpoints is continually being improved. Irish troops are issued with a modern range of weapons and equipment.