Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 63, 71, 74, 76, 85, 88, 90, 92, 93, 102 and 168 together.

Currently, a total of 414 Defence Forces personnel are serving overseas, full details of which are listed in the accompanying statement which will be available to the House.

Ireland has offered, through the United Nations standby arrangements system, to provide up to 850 military personnel, configured as a light infantry battalion, for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to some 10% of Ireland's standing Army, excluding reserves, and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum sustainable commitment that Ireland can make to overseas peacekeeping operations. There are no plans at this time to increase the level of our commitment to the United Nations standby arrangements system.

Ireland receives requests from time to time in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis.

In response to a request from the EU, the Government, on 20 November 2007, authorised the despatch of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the UN mandated EU operation in the Republic of Chad and the Central African Republic. Dáil Éireann approved the necessary enabling motion on 28 November 2007.

It was initially expected that a Defence Forces initial entry force to the new EU mission in Chad, comprising an advance party of approximately 50 personnel of the Army ranger wing and support elements, would deploy to the mission area this month. The main contingent comprising some 400 personnel, which is currently undergoing selection and concentration prior to detailed mission-specific training, was expected to deploy in February or March 2008. However, the deployment of the initial entry force has been deferred until the new year as vital enabling elements, such as helicopters, tactical aircraft and medical support associated with the launch of the operation, are not yet in place. This deferral may have a knock-on effect for the deployment of the main body of the force.

I assure the House that there is no question of the Defence Forces deploying in theatre without the required enablers being in place. The shortfalls in vital key enablers for the mission are being actively examined and addressed by the operation commander in consultation with the European Union Military Committee. As I indicated to the House on 28 November 2007, I expressed my concerns about these shortfalls at a recent Defence Ministers' meeting in Brussels. I urged my EU ministerial colleagues to take another look at the shortfalls and actively to support the mission, thus ensuring it is adequately resourced and capable of fulfilling its mandate.

The current situation demands that all options should be explored in an effort to overcome the capability shortfalls for this mission. This must be done expeditiously to re-enforce the credibility of European security and defence policy, ESDP, as an EU instrument. To this end, I wrote to my EU Defence ministerial colleagues last week appealing to them to consider constructively how they might be able to contribute to the successful launch and operation of this mission without further delay.

I assure the House that our ability to protect the safety of our personnel is of paramount concern when considering any mission. While no absolute guarantees can be given with regard to the safety of troops serving in missions, it is the policy and practice to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are appropriately trained and equipped to carry out their mission. Troops selected for overseas service undergo a rigorous programme of training designed to help them carry out their peacekeeping mission and to provide for their protection. Pre-deployment training is updated in the light of up-to-date threat assessments. Prior to deployment on missions, training packages, including realistic mission readiness exercises, are conducted and validated to ensure units are thoroughly prepared. Defence Forces personnel serving on all overseas missions are equipped with the most modern and effective equipment. This equipment enables troops to carry out the mission assigned, as well as providing the required protection specific to the mission.

A detailed threat assessment and reconnaissance was conducted prior to a decision being taken to participate in the EU mission to Chad. This informed decisions regarding the configuration of the contingent and its armaments and protection. The Irish contingent to be deployed to the new mission will be based on a mechanised infantry battalion group comprising manoeuvre elements and combat support and combat service support elements. Given the nature of the operation and the mission area and environment, the Defence Forces will deploy Mowag APCs and close reconnaissance vehicles, which will provide armoured protection, mobility, firepower and a communications platform.

As regards the security of supplies for Irish troops to be deployed to the mission, the Defence Forces have developed a comprehensive plan of logistics support for the planned deployment. All aspects of the supply chain, including the security of supplies, have been evaluated in the context of the planned theatre of operations and remain a constant planning consideration by the military authorities. All life support issues have been investigated, estimated and planned for. An integrated plan for water, fuel and other commodities is being prepared.

Regarding medical services for the personnel to be deployed to the mission, health care will be provided to EU common standards of health and medical support. All medical units deployed as part of Irish contingents on overseas missions are designed by the director of the Army medical corps based on the requirements of the mission and having regard to the availability of services that may be available from partner nations and other nations contributing troops. The proposed Defence Forces initial entry force, to be deployed in early 2008, will include one medical officer and two medical orderlies. In addition, the Army ranger wing unit will include several qualified medical personnel to augment the medical capability.

The main Irish contingent, to be deployed to the mission area at a later stage, will include a medical unit comprising two medical officers, one dental officer, 11 medical orderlies and one dental surgery assistant. The proposed medical deployment outlined is subject to change depending on the final assessment of the operational environment in which the troops will operate.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

It is estimated that the cost to the Defence Vote arising from the Defence Forces participation in this mission for 12 months will be some €57 million, including Ireland's €1.3 million contribution to common costs. The figure also includes costs of deployment of personnel and equipment, rotation and re-supply flights, overseas allowances, ordnance, clothing and catering, purchase of military vehicles, medical costs, communications and information technology, barrack expenses and engineering equipment. Provision to meet the additional costs of the operation has been made in the Defence Vote in the Estimates for 2008.

The Defence Estimate includes additional funding of €37 million for the proposed mission to Chad, the bulk of which will be expended on transport costs. This additional funding will ensure our troops in Chad will have the best possible equipment and facilities in what will be a challenging environment. The ongoing investment in modern equipment and facilities for the Defence Forces will continue in 2008. The major programme to provide modern accommodation and facilities for the Defence Forces, which has been ongoing over recent years, will continue in 2008.

I am aware of reports of clashes that have erupted in eastern Chad since 24 November 2007. I am advised that despite claims by the Chadian army and the rebels, there is no reliable confirmation of casualties. In regard to the threat posed to Irish troops proposed to be deployed as part of the EU force, it is assessed by the military authorities that the recent violence is the result of all sides attempting to influence the situation on the ground prior to the EUFOR deployment. While at least one rebel group, the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development, has declared that it considers itself in a state of war against the French, or any foreign army on Chad's territory, it is thought unlikely it will attempt to engage with EUFOR troops.

I assure the House that ongoing threat assessments are carried out in mission areas. We continually review both personal equipment and force assets to ensure Defence Forces personnel are appropriately equipped to fulfil their roles. I am satisfied that all appropriate security measures are in place to ensure the safety of all Defence Forces personnel serving overseas.

Members of the Permanent Defence Force Serving Overseas as of 07 December 2007
	Number
1. UN Missions
(i) UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ	7
(ii) UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) — Israel, Syria and Lebanon	14
(iii) MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara)	3
(iv) UNMIK (United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo)	4
(v) MONUC (United Nations Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo)	3
(vi) UNOCI (United Nations Mission in Ivory Coast)	1
(vii) UNMIL (United Nations Mission in Liberia) FHQ	1
TOTAL	33
UN Mandated Missions
(viii) EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina)	41
(ix) EUFORTCHAD/RCA (EU-led Operation in CHAD and the Central African Republic) HQ	17
(x) KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) Framework Nation	57
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ	11
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) 37th Inf Group	204
(xi) ISAF (International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan)	7
(xii) AMIS (EU support to UN authorised African Union Mission in Sudan)	3
Total number of personnel serving with UN missions	373
2. EU Missions
(i) European Union Monitor Mission (EUMM) to the former Yugoslavia	5
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH EU MISSIONS	5
3. Organisation for Security and Co-operationin Europe (OSCE)
(i) OSCE Mission to Bosnia & Herzegovina	1
(ii) OSCE Mission in Montenegro	1
(iii) OSCE Presence in Albania	2
(iv) OSCE Mission in FRY	2
(v) Staff Officer, Higher Level Planning Group, Vienna	1
Total number of personnel serving OSCE	7
4. EU Military Staff
Brussels	7
New York	1
5. HQ EU Nordic Battlegroup	12
6. Military Representatives/Advisers/Staff
(i) Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York	1
(ii) Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna	1
(iii) Military Representatives to EU (Brussels)	4
(iv) Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels)	2
(v) Military Representative to NATO/PfP Co-ordination Cell/Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Mons, Belgium	1
TOTAL NUMBER DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS	414

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