Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:168 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the amount of arrears due to his Department from the United Nations for troops and other costs associated with participation by the Defence Forces in UN missions. [25016/99]
Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.
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 peacekeeping force in Cyprus, UNFICYP. Troop costs in respect of these missions are calculated at the rate of $1,087.10 US per person per month.
The total amount owing to my Department by the United Nations, as at 29 November 1999, in respect of contributions towards troop and other costs associated with the participation of Defence Force personnel in UN missions was calculated at IR £8.3 million approximately.
Since 1 January 1999, the UN has repaid arrears of £5.4 million approximately, almost entirely in respect of UNIFIL.