Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an annual subvention to assist the Irish United Nations Veterans Association in the valuable work they perform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2811/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) was formed in 1990. Membership is available to those who have successfully completed a tour of duty with a UN Force or Organisation. I understand this membership would largely comprise both serving and former members of the Permanent Defence Force, but also includes serving and former members of the Garda Siochána and those who have served abroad with the UN in a civilian capacity. The Association is financed by membership fees, voluntary contributions and fundraising.

I can advise the Deputy that, in October 2006, in recognition of the valuable work of IUNVA and to mark almost 50 years of Defence Forces involvement in international peacekeeping with the United Nations, I was pleased to support the work of IUNVA in the form of a once off grant of €50,000 from my Department. I hope that this will go some way towards assisting IUNVA in its most valuable and worthwhile activities into the future. However, it is not planned to provide annual funding or annual subventions.