Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On my last visit to Lebanon about a month ago, I met the minister for foreign affairs because I am not happy with the progress being made on this case. The legal adviser to the minister for defence was at the meeting because the minister for defence was ill in hospital and could not be there. I have since written to the Lebanese foreign minister because of the case again being postponed until next February, which is deeply unsatisfactory. This is the seventh adjournment of the trial. The key suspect was not in attendance for this trial or the last one because of illness. That is what we have been informed. The others have remained at large from the beginning. It is not satisfactory.

Peacekeepers and their role should be valued and the Lebanese judicial system should reflect the valuing of peacekeepers, especially those who lose their lives in the course of duty. I have made clear my unhappiness with what is transpiring. We have legal representatives in an observer capacity, but obviously they cannot participate.

There will be a coroner's inquest, probably during the week of 23 July. An Garda Síochána did extensive work on this that will feed into the coroner's inquest. That is the position as of now.

As I said, I have also written to the UN pointing out that I am anxious for it to become proactive in this case. It concluded its own board of inquiry report, which it provided to Ireland for official use only and it has insisted that it not be shared with third parties or made public in any form either in whole or in part. That is a UN requirement. The investigation by An Garda Síochána for the purpose of preparing a report for the coroner is complete and the Defence Forces supported that investigation. That is the up-to-date position.

The next hearing is scheduled for 12 February 2025. This is deeply unsatisfactory.