Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

Could the Minister tell us whether the other EU defence Ministers are responding to his call to play their part in providing the necessary support? I know the Minister only wrote to them last week, but has there been any response yet? How does the Minister view the reported declaration by rebel forces in Chad that a state of war will exist against foreign soldiers? Is there a real prospect that the 400 members of the Defence Forces may not be sent as peacekeepers to Chad? Is the danger from militias and bandits worsening? Has the Minister had any recent reports from the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees?

See this speech in context