Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

——on his speech although I am at pains to find a connection between Tallaght and Chad.

I find the quietness in the Chamber this evening ironic. I remember the debate on the Defence (Amendment) Bill which copperfastens Irish involvement in a mission such as this. I remember wailing from the benches behind me from the Green Party Members. The Minister will recall it well. I do not know if we are talking about the silence of the lambs but I look forward to the contributions of the Green Party and of Sinn Féin in this debate because several months later I am still at pains to understand how they voted against the Defence (Amendment) Bill. They may offer the House an explanation tonight.

I welcome Ireland's participation in the UN mission but the security of our forces must be ensured. The resources necessary for the troops must be provided. Both Chad and the Central African Republic have very limited infrastructure. Regardless of the cost, it is imperative that some infrastructure should be put in place before the deployment of our troops.

I am concerned that the African Union troops operating in Darfur are like lambs to the slaughter. I join in the condemnation of the atrocities involving the African Union troops in Haskanita the weekend before last when 12 members of the force lost their lives when they were overrun by rebels who were not the Janjaweed but who were in conflict with the government forces. Just because we are not involved in Sudan is no excuse to turn a blind eye to what is happening there. The commanding officer of the African Union force has stated that the force is under-resourced and is unable to deal with the difficulties. The last thing that must happen is for an EU mission to find itself in the same boat in Chad, which is a very isolated place.

Deputy Barrett referred to our success in Somalia and other speakers referred to the Congo. We have encountered difficulties on the Continent of Africa in the past and the situation is very volatile.

It is easy for politicians or well-intentioned people to call for EU, Irish or international involvement in Darfur in the Sudan but it is difficult to take such steps when a country does not wish UN involvement. It is very difficult to ascertain who is on what side in the conflict. The scenario is complex. It is easy to call for involvement but it is men and women, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, who must go out and put their lives on the line in a strange territory and a strange country. It is often difficult for them to see the beneficial aspects accruing from their involvement. There is an onus on this House to ensure that such troops, be they from Ireland or from Nepal or wherever, are not isolated.

I congratulate Major General Nash on his appointment to this position. Anybody who has played hurling for Ahane will not be too soft centred so he will undoubtedly be well able to manage. I have known him for some years and he is highly respected. He follows in the footsteps of many other Irish military personnel who have taken over various UN missions.

When I was in Cyprus, Deputy Barrett held the current Minister's portfolio. He was highly respected by the Defence Forces, of which I was a member. He visited us in Cyprus but there was trouble in Israel at the time so he was unable to visit Lebanon. He stayed a few extra days in Cyprus, which was very welcome as it meant a change in duties for us.

There was much political pressure on Ireland and the EU to participate in this force. I assume the French President, Mr. Sarkozy, put a certain amount of pressure on the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Minister for Defence makes the decision to send troops overseas. It is a dangerous and difficult decision; it is not as simple as flicking a switch. I commend the Minister for making this decision. If things go wrong, and they often do, people tend to start a blame game. However, all we can do is put in place the required resources for the personnel.

If a difficulty arises over there or we become concerned about something, we should say it. It is important to do that and not remain somewhere or do something purely for political appeasement purposes. Several speakers have mentioned the situation in Chad. That area of central Africa is extremely poor; there is poverty beyond our realisation. The situation in Sudan will have a major influence on how our force operates. The role of the EU force is mainly patrolling and security, although I note the Minister's comment that it has not been conclusively defined. However, I assume it will basically involve monitoring and keeping peace in the refugee camps on the Sudanese border which hold displaced people and refugees from Sudan, who number approximately 400,000.

In the recent past Chad refused to accept a military element in a UN mission but the French have great influence in Chad where the languages spoken are French and Arabic and, following French intervention, Chad agreed to accept it. We should try to build up a relationship with the Government in Chad. I do not know what, if any, relationship we currently have with it but that is a role for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Operationally, General Nash will know how to carry out the mission. The link between the local Chadian police force, which numbers approximately 850 personnel, and the UN police force is most important. The success of the mission will depend on how the two forces get on with each other.

In the letters to the editor columns of the various newspapers, one regularly sees letters from people calling for assistance. They should keep in mind how difficult it is for the individuals who go to these areas. Many Irish people have lost their lives on UN missions. I pay tribute to them and their families. I wish Major General Nash well.

See this speech in context