39 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the number of Irish personnel serving with the United Nations interim force on the Iran-Iraq border; and if the United Nations mandate has been extended.

Twenty-seven Irish personnel — two officers, who are acting as military observers, and a Military Policy Company of 25 all ranks — are serving with the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group. The United Nations mandate for UNIIMOG which expired on 30 September 1990 has been extended to 30 November 1990.