Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

Tá áthas orm seans a fháil labhairt sa díospóireacht ar an rún an-tábhachtach seo. Beidh Páirtí an Lucht Oibre ag tabhairt tacaíocha don rún, cé go bhfuil nithe áirithe ag cur imní orainn, mar shampla an tacaíocht atá ag teastáil ó thaobh fearais, cúrsaí leighis agus córais taistil. Má bhíonn an tacaíocht is caoi ar fáil, creidim go n-éireoidh go maith le saighdiúrí na hÉireann a bheidh páirteach i MINURCAT. Beidh na daoine atá faoi bhrú uafásach i Sead faoi láthair go mór níos fearr as. Beidh mé ag iarraidh ar an Aire a dheimhniú go mbeidh an tacaíocht sin ar fáil.

The Labour Party will support the motion moved by the Minister for Defence against the background of the deepening humanitarian crisis in Darfur and eastern Chad. Approximately a quarter of a million lives have been lost in the conflict in Darfur while more than 2 million people have been displaced. The Labour Party supports the deployment of 400 Irish UN-sanctioned troops to eastern Chad but has concerns regarding the resourcing of the mission, as well as the safety and welfare of our troops.

Following his four-day visit to Chad and the Sudan earlier this month, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, stated that the environment in which the Irish troops will be located is one of the harshest in the world. He described the terrain as stark and noted that temperatures can reach up to 45° Celsius. The Minister for Foreign Affairs also noted there were no roads to speak of and that travel over land can be very time consuming and, in some instances, dangerous. The Minister pointed out that for the mission to be a success, it must get the full support of member states. This involves ensuring the troops will be provided with the requisite medical supplies, hardware and, in particular, helicopters to get around. According to the Minister, only three helicopters were deployed at the time of his visit, while the French peacekeepers there have insisted that 20 are needed to support the troops in the region. What has been the response to the plea to European governments by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, to supply much-needed transport for the thousands of troops on this humanitarian mission to central Africa? I note the Minister for Defence has also made similar pleas.

The unfolding humanitarian crisis in the region in recent years is not due solely to an overspill of the conflict from the Darfur region of Sudan as local tribal and ethnic tensions are also a factor. The situation is further compounded by the actions of militias and bandit groups. The Irish deployment of 400 troops will form the second largest component of the 4,300 troops which will make up the UN-mandated EU force. France is to contribute more than half the force, which will facilitate humanitarian access, as well as protecting refugees from Darfur and displaced Chadians who populate the camps in eastern Chad. This extraordinarily difficult and demanding mission is not without its dangers and is the most challenging to date.

Today, Members will complete the triple lock mechanism, following the mission's approval by the Government and that of the UN last September. All Members are proud of our troops and have full confidence that they will make a major contribution in this most difficult situation. It is a matter of particular pride that on Tuesday, 9 October 2007, this House unanimously approved the despatch of Lieutenant General Pat Nash to the position of operations commander for the proposed EU military operation in the Republic of Chad and the Central African Republic. The challenge posed by this mission is illustrated by considering that Chad, which is the main area of operation, is the same size as France, while the total area involved is the same as France, Germany and Spain combined. Moreover, Chad is landlocked and is approximately 2,000 km from the nearest port.

I understand the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces has described the threat level related to this mission as one of medium risk. One issue to arise concerns the potential for our troops to be drawn into the government-rebel conflict there. There is also the matter of the increasing level of banditry on vulnerable targets, while the risk from breakaway rebel factions seeking arms, ammunition and vehicles is on the increase. Reportedly, the Irish Army mission, which is to be the most expensive ever, will cost €57 million. Only yesterday, there were reports of hundreds being killed in fighting in eastern Chad. The Chadian army stated that several hundred rebels were killed in fighting on Monday last, while the rebels stated that 200 soldiers and only 20 of their fighters were killed. This incident may well constitute the heaviest fighting since last year.

The Minister noted that following the passing of the motion in the House today, the initial entry force, which I understand will consist of up to 70 troops, will be deployed next month. In addition to the ranger wing, it will include logistics and communications specialists who will join the UN forces already in eastern Chad. This will facilitate the subsequent arrival of the remaining troops to be deployed. Despite the signing of a peace deal last month between the Chadian Government and four rebel groups, clashes continue, not least last Monday's incident. The existence of 180,000 displaced Chadians and 236,000 Sudanese refugees living in camps in eastern Chad, as well as the continuing fighting, gives an indication of the difficulties that face the mission. The Minister has already outlined the horrific treatment of women in the camps and the huge problem associated with malnutrition. Consequently, a range of skills will be required from our contingent in Chad.

While one does not wish to reflect on former times when sad events have taken place, Members should recall the people who were lost in the Congo in the early 1960s. Although Members hope and pray there will be no fatalities in the present mission, it is always a possibility. This raises again the issue whether the medical and hardware backup will be available. The question that probably will be of the greatest ultimate importance is whether the 20 helicopters required will be supplied, as opposed to the three that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, indicated were available during his recent visit. The Minister for Defence should outline to the House the progress that has been made in this regard in the interim. I seek an undertaking from the Minister that he will hold firm until the appropriate and adequate backup is in place for our troops.

The initial force, comprising 50 to 70 personnel, will deploy in December to get things ready for the main contingent to follow. Can Members be certain that all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our troops in Chad from the perspective of health, safety and general security will be taken? Can the Minister provide Members with more information regarding the problems with fighting in the region? Has he had official confirmation or does he possess reliable figures regarding the incident that took place last Monday? The figures involved are startling and it appears that just as our troops are about to be deployed, the worst incident since last year has just taken place.

Previously, I have raised in the House the issue arising from the incident in which an attempt was made to take children from Chad. What is the up-to-date information in that regard? It appears that these children were being taken abroad to be fostered and perhaps in some cases to be adopted, but in a significant number of cases the children involved had at least one parent. The House should be informed of whether there is any danger of human trafficking, especially child trafficking, occurring in the area and to what extent this has been taken into consideration in the planning of the mission.

None of us should underestimate this undertaking or the challenge it presents. A number of international political issues are bound up in this matter. The resourcefulness and skill of our troops and officers in eastern Chad will be called upon, especially in terms of diplomacy and on other levels. I have no doubt our people will rise to the occasion. We all expressed great confidence in Major General Pat Nash when we debated the authorisation of his appointment as operations commander for this mission. We have the people to do this job, which very badly needs to be done. It is obvious that the humanitarian crisis in Chad is worsening. If our people do not have the tools to do the job in the most effective way, serious issues will arise when we will deploy people to take part fully in the mission.

I am seeking information and guidance from the Minister. It is quite probable that he has a great deal more information than he has already told us. I am not aware of anything being flagged in terms of where the additional helicopters will come from. I read a report which stated there are 400 km of road in the area to which the Army is going, which is pretty minimal when one considers the vast area with which the mission will be dealing.

The Labour Party is proud that the Permanent Defence Force is to take part in this mission. I believe it will make a contribution that will bring great credit to its members, the Defence Forces generally and to the country, but those involved must be given the tools to do the job and the wherewithal to protect themselves from the point of view of health and security.

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