Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

Indeed, and he is a good man. I am a big supporter of Deputy Cregan. I know a lot about his constituency inLimerick and I wish him well.

To stay on the motion, on 25 September the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1778 establishing the UN mission in Chad and the Central African Republic. This will help strengthen security in that region.

I refer to the detailed and informed contribution by Deputy Chris Andrews. Since 2004, eastern Chad has hosted some 240,000 Sudanese refugees in 12 different camps who have fled the fighting in Darfur. Chad is also facing a surge in the number of refugees. The authorities in Chad and in the Central African Republic have welcomed the possible EU military presence in their respective countries and this should be welcomed by Members of the Irish Parliament.

The Chad mission will complement the planned UN-African Union hybrid mission being launched by the UN in Sudan-Darfur by limiting the potential for spill-over from the conflict in Sudan. I am pleased to note the EU is intent on launching this operation as a matter of urgency. The intention is to have an initial operational capability on the ground in December with the operation fully functional by the end of January 2008.

Major General Pat Nash follows a tradition of Irish military personnel who have served abroad. I have had occasion as a private citizen to observe how such personnel operate abroad. The UN resolution highlights the contribution made by the military personnel to community life in these countries. I noted this even in my limited experience of the few places in Africa which I have visited. Some Members have visited more countries than I have and are aware of missionaries and Army people who become involved in different community groups. I was forcibly struck by this involvement. It is important to note the Security Council has made the point in its resolution of, so to speak, looking after the local population. I know the Irish Army personnel will, both initially and when the bulk of the force arrives, become involved and I support this involvement.

On one occasion when I was fortunate enough to submit a Dáil question — backbenchers do not have that many chances — I made the following point to the Minister. Many former Army people — Deputy Timmins may be one of those — have a lot of knowledge to impart. I am aware that Army people may not like such suggestions but the Army should find a means of allowing such people to make a contribution. They have experience of the different missions in which the Army has been involved over the past 30 or 40 years.

I appreciate the opportunity to make a brief contribution and I wish Major General Pat Nash every success. I also wish the Minister, Deputy O'Dea, continued success in his brief and in the great work he is doing.

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