Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

I wish to share my time with Deputy Joe Costello, and I ask the Acting Chairman to notify me at the appropriate time.

During my time as a Deputy, several motions such as this have come before the House. My concern in this regard is that doubt is always cast as to the safety of the participating troops. However, everyone knows that being a soldier is about soldiering and that danger is always present. All things being equal, I have the utmost confidence in the Minister, the Chief of Staff and Lieutenant General Pat Nash to ensure this will be a true and genuine effort to help the people of Chad and Darfur. Members must be honest in this regard and must highlight that this mission will not happen unless the feedback from Pat Nash to the Chief of Staff and the Minister is completely positive. The Army is second nature to those who live in the constituency I represent. They see soldiers training every day and have neighbours who are members of the Defence Forces. Active units of the FCA operate in the area. People in my constituency know and understand what it is to be a soldier. They know that soldiers want to act as soldiers and to be seen in that position.

This is what is happening in this instance. The Government has responded to a request and will put in place a mechanism, through logistics and everything else, to ensure that Irish soldiers again will play a dominant role in providing peace in part of the wider world. They have done so since 1960 when they served in the Congo and on many subsequent occasions. They have never let down the country. Such service has been an ideal for young people who have sought a profession as members of the Defence Forces. A wonderful standard has been set by the Defence Forces in respect of UN service overseas. I include Naval Service personnel in this regard, although they have not served in the same numbers.

Ireland will provide help by carrying out this mission. One only needs to look at any television channel to discover what is happening to humanity in these regions. Were Ireland able to implant a sense of law and order there that made a difference to the people affected, the effort, time and dedication of the Defence Forces personnel being deployed would be worthwhile.

Problems have been encountered previously and there have been sad times. I have witnessed the brunt of such sad occasions in my constituency when those who unfortunately were killed on active service or through accidents etc. when overseas were brought home. In such circumstances, the entire community joined together with the Defence Forces and the Minister of the day to show their respect and understanding of what had happened. They tried to be part of the greater family of those unfortunate husbands or wives who had lost a loved one. With the help of God, this will not happen in this case.

I will raise one issue. Although only a small group will be deployed in the first instance, Christmas, which is important to every family, approaches. The logistics should be in place to ensure interaction between the soldiers serving overseas and their respective families during that time. My main request today is to ensure this will happen.

See this speech in context