Darragh O'Brien (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

It is an honour to speak on this important motion. As other Deputies have said, it is of the utmost importance to Members of the House, the Irish Defence Forces and the Irish nation. I support Deputy Behan's call that our troops, when they are abroad on prolonged missions of four months or more such as this, have the requisite means of making contact with their families and loved ones, be it via Internet access or satellite telephones. That is important for the troops' morale in difficult circumstances.

I am proud of the Defence Forces and of the role they continue to play in the protection of vulnerable groups of people throughout the world. Our record in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions over the past 50 years is second to none. The Irish Army and, indeed, Irish people generally are in a relatively unique position across the world in that they are seen as genuinely impartial. Ireland is a neutral country. This is shown in particular in the relationships our Defence Forces built up with all sides in their various missions in Lebanon. It is a striking example of the high esteem in which our Defence Forces are held. It is important, therefore, that we continue to play a positive role in trying to help people in difficult situations and in trying to broker peace and ensure human rights are upheld.

Our Defence Forces work tirelessly for peace and justice in many trouble spots across the world. Currently, over 330 Defence Forces personnel are stationed in 11 different missions. Of that number, 204 are doing invaluable work in Kosovo which permitted the recent peaceful elections there. The decision to send 400 troops to Chad was not taken lightly by the Government. However, Ireland will not be, and never has been, found wanting when asked to assist persecuted civilians. The situation in the Darfur region of Sudan is intolerable. What has happened there over the past number of years is nothing short of genocide. Thousands of people have been persecuted by militia and rebel groups and Ireland must do what it can to protect them.

The main purpose of the mission is to afford much needed protection to civilians in danger, particularly the refugees from Darfur who have fled to Chad. The mission will also facilitate the delivery of much needed humanitarian aid and help aid workers continue their important work by affording them much needed protection. As I mentioned, Ireland will be sending approximately 400 troops on the mission — a number exceeded only by France. Included in the 400 are 50 members of the highly trained Army Ranger wing which recently headed up the mission in Liberia. I compliment members of the Defence Forces and the Army Ranger wing, in particular, on their successful tour in Liberia and the manner in which they conducted themselves in a very dangerous environment.

Participation in such missions is only possible due to the ongoing modernisation of the force which followed publication of the White Paper on Defence in February 2000. The modernisation programme has focused mainly on the creation of additional capacity and capability throughout the Defence Forces in order to meet new challenges such as that presented in Chad. The programme has been successful in reallocating funds from payroll, due to the reduction in the size of our standing defence force to 10,500, and reinvesting them in equipment. The Defence Forces have seen many positive changes in the past seven years, with increases in investment in equipment and infrastructure and continual recruitment to maintain numbers at the agreed level of 10,500. Just as important is the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force and improved, enhanced and focused training for all members. Planning of the mission in Chad is still ongoing under General Nash. Much of the equipment being brought to Chad such as the 20 Mowag armoured vehicles and the eight special reconnaissance vehicles was purchased during the modernisation programme. Our forces will be very well equipped.

The safety of our personnel must be paramount on this mission. With this in mind, I add to the comments of a number of other Deputies my concern about certain gaps in the force structure for this mission, particularly in respect of helicopters, tactical aircraft and medical support associated with the launch of this operation. The Minister raised this issue at recent meetings with EU Defence Ministers and it is one we should pursue. As Chad is a landlocked country nearly 2,000 km from the nearest port, these aircraft and helicopters are essential to the success of this mission. As I stated, I am aware the Minister has raised this matter and I wish him well in trying to resolve it.

The Government, particularly the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has been using all available avenues to try to resolve the humanitarian and political crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan. The Government must continue to pursue the three main objectives, one of which is to ensure humanitarian aid gets to those who need it without hindrance. The establishment of the force in Chad should help. Another is to put in place a truly international peacekeeping force with a strong mandate for the protection of civilians who need our help. The long-term plan is to achieve an inclusive Darfur peace agreement that will bring lasting stability and allow refugees to return home and live safely in their own countries.

The Minister has visited Darfur and impressed upon the Sudanese Government the importance of a lasting settlement and, more urgently, the need to ensure innocent civilians are no longer persecuted and given the protection they need and deserve. As we know, the Taoiseach has raised these issues at the highest level with the UN Secretary General, President Bush and President Sarkozy. The people are very concerned about the ongoing crisis in Darfur and support the stationing of troops in Chad to assist and protect refugees. I know how proud they are of the important role played by the men and women of the Defence Forces in many humanitarian crises across the world. I wish Lieutenant General Nash and the Irish contingent the very best in this mission. They will perform their duties to the highest standard and the people will be justly proud of them.

See this speech in context