There were ongoing efforts to find the remains of an Irish soldier missing in Lebanon since 1981, the House was told.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea said his predecessors had raised the disappearance of Private Caoimhín Ó Seoighe with the Israeli ambassador, and the matter had also been pursued with the Palestinian authorities by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
"During every visit by my predecessors to Unifil, they took every opportunity to raise the issue with government and local representatives and the Lebanese media.
"In addition, each successive Irish battalion between 1981 and 2001, when the Irish battalion was withdrawn, was tasked with pursuing the matter."
He said he was advised by the military that the situation in Unifil was that the case remained open. "Efforts are made from time to time in Lebanon to establish the location of Pte Ó Seoighe's remains and, if located, efforts will be made to repatriate his remains." Mr O'Dea added that a recent visit by two senior officers of the Defence Forces was part of the ongoing investigation.
Labour spokesman Joe Sherlock said the case represented one of the last unresolved tragedies arising from the service of Irish troops in Lebanon. "Sometimes I feel that the country does not appreciate the sacrifice of the Defence Forces. The suffering continues in the case of Pte Ó Seoighe, who, as the Minister said, has been missing since 1981."
