Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Clonan for raising this matter and welcome the opportunity to speak on it on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence. I listened carefully to everything the Senator said. Some of it was most interesting. The level of detail in the points he made is helpful to us.

Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the primary role of the UN in the maintenance of international peace and security is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. The Senator referred to this and said that up to 100 Irish soldiers have died while working on UN missions over the past 60 years or so. It is well known that Ireland is one of the most long-standing participants in UN peacekeeping. Not a single day has passed in the past 60 years where there has not been an Irish soldier working abroad on a UN peacekeeping mission. It is a tribute to our Defence Forces, not just now but also over the decades. Our commitment is also expressed in our engagement in the EU's common security and defence policy.

As of 5 April 2024 Ireland had 419 personnel deployed o different missions throughout the world. The main overseas mission in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL. Some 345 personnel are involved in that regard. Ireland also contributes observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU, NATO-PfP and OSCE headquarters. I am informed the United Nations reimburses some personnel and contingent owned equipment costs in respect of member state contributions to UN-led operations. Rates of reimbursement, fixed in accordance with UN categories of equipment and personnel, are agreed in a memorandum of understanding between Ireland and the UN for each mission.

On death and disability, including PTSD claims, UN Resolution 51/218E of 17 June 1997 saw the UN General Assembly establish standardised rates for the payment of awards in cases of death and disability sustained by troops in the service of United Nations peacekeeping operations for incidents occurring after 30 June 1997. The subsequent UN General Assembly Resolution 52/177 of 18 December 1997, which was referred to by the Senator, essentially actioned the provisions of Resolution 51/218E as they related to administrative and payment procedures. UN Resolution 76/275, also referred to by the Senator, agreed on measures to expedite the process of claims for disability, including PTSD. It is important to note that, based on the information available to the Department of Defence, this scheme is not a mechanism for individuals to lodge claims with the UN. It is an arrangement of reimbursement to the State where claims for disability-PTSD have been awarded. On this basis, the question of making such schemes known to serving personnel, veterans and their families, or supporting them to avail of such schemes, does not arise.

In the case of death or disability, individual claims are made to the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence under the relevant military occupational injuries code. Other personal injuries claims made against the Minister for Defence, including PTSD, have been delegated to the State Claims Agency since 2011.