Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I wish to deal with the main points that were raised by Members, including Deputies Deenihan, O'Shea, Michael D. Higgins and others. One question related to the water supply in Chad. There have been reports that there is a problem with the supply and capacity of water in Chad. While these reports have been around for some time, accurate reports and surveys are not available to confirm them. During the reconnaissance carried out by the Irish Defence Forces from 11 to 17 October 2007, there was no indication of a shortage or rationing of supplies by the French contingent already in Chad. However, it is understood that a significant expansion in demand could have serious repercussions for the capacity of this particular water source and may involve some form of rationing. The military authorities have advised that this matter is being addressed at the highest level. An EU-UN water survey is currently ongoing to confirm the sites most favourable for selection from an engineering perspective. In addition, a reserve 30 days supply of bottled water will be held and stored. The bottled water will be of EU quality.

Another relevant question was raised about the medical facilities. The Defence Forces adopt a comprehensive approach to managing and protecting the health of all personnel. As a matter of course all personnel volunteering must have passed their annual medical in the first instance. They are then subjected to a further detailed overseas medical, where they are assessed for suitability with particular reference to the physical requirements of the mission. The troops to be deployed to Chad will go through this process. All troops will be immunised against known disease risks. With regard to possible water borne parasites or diseases, the Defence Forces will bring their own water purification plant and sewage treatment plant. On return from the mission all troops are fully tested from a health perspective as a matter of course. The Defence Forces will deploy, as part of the battalion, a containerised medical facility. It will be operated by two medical doctors, who will be assisted by a team of 13 Defence Forces personnel and paramedics.

We spoke about gaps in the mission. One of the key gaps is the absence of a level two medical facility in the general area where the Irish Army will be stationed. That is one of the reasons the force commander has decided not to deploy the force yet. That facility will have to be in place and negotiations about it are ongoing.

Reference was made to France's colonial past and the danger that the United Nations force, including Irish troops, would be seen to be on the side of the government, as it were, against the rebels. I reiterate that this is a UN mandated mission, organised by the European Union. It is going there as a neutral force with a humanitarian brief to alleviate the suffering in the camps, ensure the safety of the refugees and internally displaced persons and to provide a measure of protection for the United Nations personnel and installations. Despite what was said in the debate, France will not contribute more than half the troops. It will contribute approximately 1,260 troops to a force of between 3,500 and 4,000. It is a significant contribution but the force is organised by the European Union at the behest of the United Nations. It will be clear that it has no brief or agenda on behalf of one side or the other and will be seen as such.

Deputy Kenny on the Order of Business and other Deputies in the course of this debate asked what would happen if a major civil war breaks out in Sudan and hundreds of thousands of people start to stream across the border. We are conscious of that danger; it has been factored into the risk assessment. We will monitor the situation regularly. I assure the House that nobody, least of all me, takes the safety and the lives of our Defence Forces lightly. For that reason the force commander, Lieutenant General Nash, is not prepared to deploy the force without sufficient air assets. This is one of the key enablers. If there is sufficient air capacity, one can move troops either out of the country, in a desperate situation, or out of a danger zone very quickly. The force commander will not deploy the force until these assets are in place in sufficient numbers.

Deputy O'Shea raised the issue of human trafficking. That is a matter for the local authorities. However, the United Nations mandated force can contribute in so far as it can deal with instances of human trafficking that come to its attention. The force is going there to provide a safer system, to help restore civil authority in these regions and to provide support until such time as it takes root. That will enable criminal activity such as trafficking to be dealt with more easily than at present.

Deputy Wall and Deputy Behan asked if the troops would have contact with home during the deployment. The Government is conscious of this issue. Usually a tour of duty is six months, as was the case with Lebanon, Kosovo and other countries. In Chad it will be four months. That is due not only to the environment but also because it is not practicable to have a break in the middle of the deployment, which is what happens during normal tours of duty. It is too far away to haul troops there and back. The Defence Forces are currently examining a range of support provisions such as postal arrangements and telephone, Internet access and e-mail facilities which can be put in place for the Irish troops. We are conscious of the matter but I thank the Deputies for reminding us of it.

Deputy Costello said that Amnesty International and other organisations claim that March or April might be too late for deployment. There is some confusion arising from some of the questions asked on the Order of Business this morning. The Taoiseach referred to late March as the date for deployment. However, that is the date when all the force will be in place; part of it will be in place before that. It is hoped that if we can keep to the original timetable, even taking into account a three week delay because of the danger in supplying the various enablers, the troops will be there by late January or early February.

One speaker said this would be the most risky or dangerous mission ever engaged in by the Irish Army. I agree with Deputy O'Rourke that the danger of a mission will only be evident when it is under way. The risk assessment is that it is medium risk, the same as for Liberia. I believe it was low to medium risk in Kosovo. The Congo is so long ago I do not know what the risk assessment was but it turned out to be a dangerous mission, unfortunately. Liberia was medium risk but due to the equipment and training of the troops, they were well able to manage that risk.

Deputy Deenihan asked what the situation will be if this motion is passed. If it is passed, the three components of the triple lock will be fulfilled and we will have the authority to send our troops out when the force commander deploys them. However, as I have said on a number of occasions both inside and outside the House, the force commander will not deploy until the necessary enabling provisions are in place.

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