Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 29 and 31 together.

I reiterate that the safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces personnel stationed in Lebanon remain of paramount concern to me and the Government. I pay tribute to all our Defence Force personnel in Lebanon for their exceptional work, professionalism and resilience. I am also conscious of their families here at home who are very anxious and concerned at the situation in Lebanon, which is very understandable. The House can be reassured that I have made, and will continue to make, the Government's concern on IDF activity in Lebanon clear, both bilaterally to Israel and to UN headquarters, as well as via the European Union and other channels.

IDF actions over the last number of weeks towards UNIFIL peacekeepers have caused deep concern and outrage to me and the Government and I have been very clear that it is reprehensible and unacceptable to injure peacekeepers and put them in harm's way. The Government condemns these incidents in the strongest possible terms. I have been in direct contact with the United Nations on this issue. I have spoken directly with the UN Under-Secretary-General responsible for UN peacekeeping, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, on a number of occasions. During the calls, I took the opportunity to raise my serious concern about the deteriorating situation in southern Lebanon and to emphasise the Government’s expectation that UNIFIL’s role and mandate, and the safety of peacekeepers, should be fully respected by all parties.

Two specific diplomatic protests have been made to UN headquarters and Israel in the last ten days regarding an IDF presence - now departed - beside an Irish UNIFIL outpost. Similar action will be taken at diplomatic level in the future in the event of further incidents of this nature. I have also reminded Israel of its obligation to protect peacekeepers. I have highlighted that the IDF’s actions are in breach of international humanitarian law and that there is a need for full accountability for any actions taken. On Monday, the Taoiseach spoke by phone with Israeli President Herzog to relay the Government’s serious concerns and emphasise its expectation that UNIFIL's role and mandate will be fully respected at all times. The deliberate firing at UNIFIL posts is an outrageous and totally unacceptable breach of international law. Yesterday, we had a meeting of all defence ministers of the 16 EU contributing countries.

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All made it very clear that such attacks represent a violation of international humanitarian law. At the European Union Foreign Affairs Council earlier in the week, we issued a statement again condemning this action. Prior to that, over the last weekend, 34 UNIFIL contributing countries, including Ireland, issued a statement condemning the recent incidents and calling for Israel to respect UNIFIL’s mission and ensure the safety of peacekeepers. The Taoiseach has also spoken to the UN Secretary General, António Guterres.

In terms of the safety and security of personnel, I have been advised that all Irish personnel remain in place in UNIFIL positions and that all are accounted for and well. All Defence Forces personnel continue to comply with UN security precautions, including taking shelter in protected positions as and when required. I also wish to reassure the Deputy that ongoing risk assessments are carried out in the mission area and personal equipment and force assets are continually reviewed in order that Defence Forces personnel are appropriately equipped to fulfil their role and support their safety. Unfortunately, no mission is without danger but, based on the military advice I have received, I am satisfied that all appropriate security measures are in place to provide for the safety of all Defence Forces personnel serving with UNIFIL.

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