Dáil debates

Thursday, 8 November 2007

2:00 pm

Photo of Tom KittTom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I can answer with a definite yes. We are all honoured that the operational commander is Lieutenant General Pat Nash, who is known to many of us in the House. He is an excellent Army officer.

I concur completely with the Deputy that the issue of trafficking of young people is regarded by the Government as one of paramount importance.

With regard to the MINURCAT mission and as I saw on my recent visit to Kosova, Ireland has an excellent record in working with communities and building trust. On the specific issue of the children, dealing with criminality and trafficking is primarily the responsibility of the Chadean Government. However, the EU operation in Chad and in CAR is designed to provide for the creation of safe and secure areas for refugees and internally displaced persons and to allow for the distribution of humanitarian aid. Implicit in this role for the EU mission within its area of operation and its mandate will be to intervene if such issues come to its attention. In the event of Ireland becoming involved, which I hope will be the case, we will need to note these concerns.

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