Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In response to the Deputy's initial question, I have already outlined the chronology of events. I went further on from 2001 and, unfortunately and tragically, no further information emerged. In 2007 the then Minister for Defence visited Lebanon and met the Lebanese Minister for Defence. He raised with him the disappearance of Private Joyce. The Lebanese Minister for Defence assured the Minister that his government would assist in whatever way possible to locate the whereabouts of Private Joyce. In the past the authorities in Lebanon have made efforts to obtain information on his whereabouts, including broadcasting pictures of him on television, but to date, despite all of these inquiries, no information has been elicited leading to the recovery of his remains. I am advised by the military authorities that, even though it is nearly 33 years since this tragic event happened, the case remains open. At a meeting I had in Lebanon, I believe in March last year, I again raised the issue of Private Joyce because we are all very conscious that his remains have not been found and of how this has impacted on his family, but, unfortunately, it remains the position that no further information has been made available. I know from a conversation I have had with the UNIFIL commander that they have no further information available. The difficulty is that many years have now passed and it seems unlikely that information will be brought forward, but I can assure the Deputy that he has not beem forgotten. It is my intention, should I visit the troops again in Lebanon, to again raise the issue, but I cannot tell the Deputy that I have any sense of optimism.

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