Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

That will be done in the course of the debate. Lieutenant General Nash, as operational commander of the EU mission to Chad, is satisfied with arrangements. The outstanding matter was the issue of helicopters because it is a huge country and the logistics of the operation present difficulties. Many refugees are in the area and rebels have been creating many problems in the past week so this has added to pressure. The 50 troops that are to be sent in advance of the main body are well equipped and are from the elite wing of the Defence Forces. However, there is no point suggesting the mission is not difficult.

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