Minister for Defence Alan Shatter has said he is "not optimistic" that the concerns of the families of two soldiers killed in Lebanon more than 30 years ago could be resolved in a "fitting and appropriate" manner.

Mr Shatter said he would be happy to meet the families of Pte Hugh Doherty and Pte Kevin Joyce who were killed in 1981 in southern Lebanon. Pte Joyce's body was never recovered.

The Minister said that following an examination of documents, “I required clarity on several issues and have asked the military authorities to have a number of documents reviewed by the Army’s Provost Marshal.”

Once he receives the report, “I plan to meet members of Pte Doherty’s families as requested by them.”

Despite numerous inquiries and ongoing investigations “no information has been elicited leading to the recovery of Pte Joyce” but the case remained open.

Sinn Féin defence spokesman Pádraig Mac Lochlainn questioned the efforts made to follow up a meeting in 2001 with then minister for the displaced Marwan Hamadeh.

Mr Mac Lochlainn said progress appeared to have been made at the meeting, “but I wish to hear what has happened since”. He had met former Defence Forces personnel who attended the meeting at which the former minister was “very exercised”. He was still alive and suggested diplomatic efforts should be made to contact him.