Michael Mulcahy (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to support this motion and to commend it to the House. As stated by many speakers, Ireland has a long and noble tradition of foreign service overseas, almost exclusively in the service of the UN. We have participated twice in EU-led missions in Africa.

Given the difficulty and scale of this operation, it merits particular scrutiny. In Dáil Éireann on 9 October, I had the opportunity to debate the appointment of Lieutenant General Nash to the head of the UN part of the mission, a fact of which Ireland should be proud. There are three parts to the mission, namely, the UN, the MINURCAT and Chad police elements. I regret that Deputy Ó Snodaigh is not present, but the tone of his comments was inappropriate. This is not a military mission. Rather, it is a humanitarian and security mission, the primary purpose of which is to secure the lives of innocent people, particularly the women and children in refugee camps who are under considerable threat.

Chad is in central Africa, has a population of approximately 10 million, is largely desert — certainly in the north — and does not have much water. For many years it has been riven by internal strife and life expectancy there is 42 years or 45 years depending on whether one is male or female. The country is commonly referred to as the dead heart of Africa and no place presents more difficulties for an international force in terms of helping refugee camps and other tasks.

Given the difficulties, I do not want to downplay the dedication and professionalism of the members of the Defence Forces. I have no doubt that the operation will be planned in a thoroughly professional manner. I am confident that Lieutenant General Nash and the Minister would not allow the mission to occur except in circumstances where all eventualities had been considered. Nevertheless, the Minister would accept that this is by any stretch of the imagination a dangerous mission to an area in central Africa where there are many hostile groups and tribes, no water and major access problems. I welcome the fact that the Minister addressed the last issue in his speech when he stated: "I can assure the Members of the House that there is no question of the Defence Forces deploying in-theatre without the required enablers being in place." That is an important statement. It is our political responsibility to ensure when military personnel are sent into the field, all necessary precautions have been taken with the necessary equipment purchased and provided. The issue of transport for the mission has been raised. The Minister for Defence has worked hard with his European colleagues to ensure the necessary transport equipment is procured.

The motion must be supported because of the nature and depth of the suffering of so many people in the region. We can take pride, given the wealth in this country relative to one of the poorest countries on Earth, in ameliorating their condition. That is the challenge and the opportunity. When all technical arrangements have been put in place, the Minister should consider going before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights to set out in considerable detail, if necessary with the attendance of Lieutenant General Pat Nash, all transport and logistical arrangements that will be put in place before the operation starts.

Troops from the Army Ranger wing will soon embark on a reconnaissance mission to Chad, which is welcome. As the total of the mission will be approximately 4,000 personnel and given the importance of this assignment, it merits detailed scrutiny by the Oireachtas committee on defence matters. I will write to its chairman to suggest such a meeting and that the committee undertakes a detailed evaluation of these technical points.

There was some criticism that this is not a UN mission. This must be scotched as it is one, acted on an agency basis by the EU. If, for example, a similar situation arose in south America, some North American and South American countries would be used on an agency basis by the UN. It is wrong of some Members to suggest this is an EU battle group that takes away from our neutrality. Any Member who claims this is open to a charge of misleading the House. This is a UN-sponsored and approved mission. The only difference is that the Exchequer will foot the bill for this mission whereas under pure UN missions the Army is reimbursed by the UN.

Most Members will agree that Ireland will only participate in missions that have UN approval. It is a cornerstone of our foreign policy. I see nothing in this mission that deviates one scintilla from that core principle. The Minister knows that many backbenchers would be reluctant to give approval to any such mission were it not UN approved.

Ireland can be proud of its contribution to the developing world. Our foreign aid budget stands at €800 million. We will meet the 0.7% target of GDP for foreign aid in 2012, which will amount to €1.3 billion. While this may seem a large amount, it is the UN target. I hope there is cross-party support in arriving at and maintaining this target as there is much poverty and suffering in the world. There is an obligation on the developed world to deepen its commitment to the developing world.

It must also be underlined that Irish foreign aid is not tied as it is with many other countries. Many other countries insist that as part of their aid programmes, their domestic products must be purchased. The value of those products is also included in the calculation of aid given. Irish foreign aid is free, unfettered and generously given.

I pay tribute to those military personnel who will shortly embark on a reconnaissance mission to Chad. I pay tribute in advance to those brave men and women of the Defence Forces who will risk their lives by going on this mission.

I will only be satisfied about this mission when those important issues raised in the Minister's speech have been signed off. The best way to achieve this is by addressing the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights.

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