Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 September 2011
117 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the UN has fully reimbursed the State in respect of overseas troop deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25266/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe only mission in which the Defence Forces is currently participating and for which Ireland is due reimbursement by the UN is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). An Irish Battalion was deployed to UNIFIL as recently as last June. The Department of Defence is in the process of concluding a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UN for Ireland's contribution of Defence Forces personnel and equipment to UNIFIL. The MoU is expected to be signed shortly and payment of troop and equipment costs is expected to commence in the final quarter of 2011. The costs of deployment of the Battalion have been claimed from the UN. The total amount owing to the Department of Defence by the United Nations as at 31 August 2011 in respect of contributions towards troop and other costs associated with the participation of Defence Force personnel in UN missions was calculated at €9.7 million approximately. This figure includes deployment costs (€0.9 million) and troop and equipment costs (€1.7 million) in respect of the current UNIFIL mission, repatriation costs of both personnel and equipment from the MINURCAT mission in Chad (€6.7 million approximately) and costs associated with the participation in the UNIFIL mission in 2006/2007 (€0.39 million approximately).
