Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 113, 118, 126, 129, 130, 131, 136, 144, 154, 157, 164, 166 and 613 to 615, inclusive, together.

The European Union military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR TCHAD/RCA, established under the authority of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1778 (2007), was formally launched by the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 28 January 2008. Ireland is expected to be the second largest contributor of troops to the mission, which aims to protect civilians in danger, particularly refugees and internally displaced persons, IDPs, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and protect UN personnel.

The mandate for this mission is robust and will be conducted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, allowing the use of all necessary force to ensure the success of the mission. The EU force is authorised to support the UN and to take all necessary measures, within its capabilities and its area of operation, to fulfil its functions. EUFOR is committed to conducting its operations in a neutral and impartial manner.

Given the nature of the operation and the mission area and environment, force protection will be a key consideration. The Defence Forces will deploy a full range of force protection assets including armoured personnel carriers. The military authorities have indicated that, while the level of risk is consistent with any operational deployment in a troubled African state, it is one which the Defence Forces have the capability to manage.

On 13 February 2008, I visited the operation headquarters, OHQ, in Paris for the European Union's military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR TCHAD/RCA. I met with the operation commander, Lieutenant General Pat Nash, who briefed me on the current situation and the plans for recommencement of deployment of EUFOR troops to the mission area.

Lieutenant General Nash indicated that the situation in Chad has now stabilised. The urgent necessity to provide security and protection to the refugees and displaced persons in camps, however, remains. While mindful of the need to minimise risk, I re-affirmed the Government's strong commitment to the humanitarian objectives of EUFOR TCHAD/RCA.

Lieutenant General Nash also assured me that the broad range of capabilities required to deploy the EU force has now been generated. He also informed me that a total of three role two medical facilities, plus air assets, will be provided. In addition, each battalion will have its own role one medical facilities.

Deployment of EUFOR personnel recommenced on 12 February 2008, having been postponed by the operation commander earlier this month due to the recent events in Chad. Lieutenant General Nash is confident that the capabilities required to support EUFOR's main force deployment will be established by mid-March 2008, by which time he plans that the mission will achieve initial operational capability. At this stage, he expects to have at least 1,200 troops in theatre. This will afford the operation commander and his staff the opportunity to plan for the follow on deployment of three multi-national battalions, including the Irish battalion. The mission is planned to reach full operational capability by mid to late May 2008.

Eight members of the Permanent Defence Force are currently with the mission in Chad and, as I have already indicated, are all reported to be safe and well. The deployment of some 50 Army ranger wing, ARW, personnel to the mission area, which was due to take place earlier this month, is now scheduled for tomorrow. It is expected that the main deployment of some 400 Irish troops to the mission area will be completed by mid-May 2008.

I have already dealt with the cost. It will be approximately €57 million. Provision is made annually in the Defence Vote to maintain a capacity of 850 personnel serving overseas at any one time. This includes making provision for overseas allowance payments and other costs associated with maintaining troops overseas. 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 that our troops in Chad will have the best possible equipment and facilities in what will be a very challenging environment.

In connection with depreciation figures, it is extremely difficult to forecast this cost. The operating environment will be harsh on all assets, including human, vehicle, accommodation units, personal equipment, radios and generators, to list but a few. It is considered that this type of forecasting will only be viable after the impact of a full deployment in theatre has been concluded. It is not possible at this stage to provide precise figures on the asset value of all equipment being deployed.

Defence Forces personnel deployed to Chad will be able to avail of Internet services and telephone communications via satellite. The Defence Forces will provide all personnel with access to a dedicated phone system for communications back to Ireland and all personnel will be provided with monthly liberty call credit. This will ensure that they are able to keep in contact with their families in Ireland on a regular basis. The postal situation, and its roll-out, is yet to be confirmed by the force headquarters. This will probably be a rudimentary system taking into account the very extended lines of communication from home.

The full range of welfare services, access to gymnasiums and allied recreational facilities has been provided for in the planning associated with the deployment.

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