Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 54: To ask the Minister for Defence the moneys outstanding from the UN to Ireland in respect of our peace keeping duties; his views that the appropriate procedures are in place for the efficient collection of that money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38706/11]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The only UN-led mission in which the Defence Forces are currently participating is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL.

The total amount owing to the Department of Defence by the United Nations as of 30 November 2011 in respect of contributions towards troop and other costs associated with the participation of Defence Forces personnel in UN missions is approximately €11.66 million, including deployment, rotation, troop and equipment costs. The amount owed in respect of the current UNIFIL mission is €4.68 million. Repatriation costs of personnel and equipment from the MINURCAT mission in Chad amount to approximately €6.7 million, subject to ongoing negotiations with the UN. Costs associated with the participation in the UNIFIL mission in 2006-07 amounts to €280,000 and payment from the UN is still awaited.

I am satisfied with the arrangements in place for reimbursement of moneys owed to Ireland by the United Nations. The recovery from the UN of the moneys owed is pursued on an ongoing basis by the Departments of Defence and Foreign Affairs and Trade in conjunction with the permanent mission of Ireland to the UN in New York. To date in 2011 the UN has reimbursed Ireland €1.12 million, mainly in respect of the UNIFIL mission. Following last week's signing of a memorandum of understanding with the UN for Ireland's contribution of Defence Forces personnel and equipment to UNIFIL it is anticipated that an additional €1.8 million will be received from the UN by the end of this month.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish our Defence Forces personnel, and particularly those who are serving overseas in UN missions, best wishes for the season and a safe and happy 2012. In the context of our financial circumstances and the need to make every penny count, is there a way of avoiding the situation whereby debts incurred in 2006 are still outstanding so that the moneys owed to us by the UN are paid to us in a timely manner? The Minister of State noted that part of the money owned on one mission is subject to an ongoing dispute. Are these payment issues not agreed prior to the deployment of personnel?

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In any case where money is owed, there will always be negotiations. That is what is happening at present in respect of the mission to Chad. I assure the Deputy that all debts will be collected and the Department is working vigorously to this end.