Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

As Deputy O'Shea has noted, chaotic hardly begins to describe the situation. I have discussed that specific matter with the force commander. It is my earnest hope that we will be able to make a difference in that regard and that we will be in a position to prevent a recurrence.

When Deputy O'Shea raised the question of children, it reminded me that I had not replied to one of the supplementary questions from his predecessor which related to trafficking. My understanding of the situation is that trafficking such as child trafficking is primarily a matter for the authorities in Chad, the Chadian Government, to deal with. It is also my understanding that the UN mandate is sufficiently broad to enable the UN forces to intervene if this activity is brought to their attention.

See this speech in context