Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 108 together.

The European Union military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic is being mounted in response to a direct request from the United Nations Security Council. This is the most widely supported military operation conducted in Africa by the EU. France will be making a sizeable contribution to the EU force of 3,700. However, France will be only one of 14 EU troop contributors on the ground in the mission area. When staff in the operational headquarters in Paris are taken into account, more than 20 EU member states will be represented, including the three EU neutrals, Sweden, Austria and Finland. 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, 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. EUFOR is committed to conducting its operations in a neutral and impartial manner and operates in full co-operation with the United Nations.

On 2 February 2008, a Sudanese-backed rebel column, consisting of 300 pick-up vehicles, each with ten to 15 combatants, advanced on Chad's capital, N'Djamena. Intense fighting ensued between the rebels and the Chadian forces on 2 and 3 February 2008. The situation in N'Djamena is now reported to be calm and the Chadian Government is in control. The recent incursion by rebel forces is a matter for the Chadian authorities and does not fall within the remit of the EU mission.

As for the threat posed to Irish troops to be deployed as part of the EU force, the military authorities have assessed the recent actions by rebel forces as an attempt to influence the situation on the ground prior to the EUFOR deployment. While at least one rebel group 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 that it will attempt to engage with EUFOR troops.

I assure the House that ongoing threat assessments are carried out in mission areas and the Department continually reviews both personal equipment and force assets to ensure Defence Forces personnel are appropriately equipped to fulfil their roles. The planned deployment to Chad will be no different. While no mission is without danger, I am satisfied that all appropriate security measures are in place to ensure the safety of all Defence Forces personnel serving overseas.

On 13 February 2008, I visited the mission's operation headquarters, OHQ, in Paris and met the operation commander, Lieutenant General Pat Nash. He briefed me on the current situation and the plans for recommencement of deployment of EUFOR troops to the mission area.

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

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 2 medical facilities, plus air assets, will be provided. In addition, each battalion will have its own role 1 medical facility.

Deployment of EUFOR personnel to Chad commenced on 12 February 2008. Lieutenant General Nash is confident that the capabilities required to support EUFOR's main force deployment will be established by mid-March 2008. By this time, he is planning that the mission will achieve initial operational capability, with at least 1,200 troops in theatre. Planning for the follow-on deployment of all three multinational battalions, including the Irish battalion, can then commence. The logistics of deploying the multinational battalions require extensive planning as the vast majority of equipment etc. will arrive in Douala port in Cameroon and will be transported from there to the relevant operational sector. Lieutenant General Nash is satisfied the OHQ will have the necessary logistical arrangements in place to accommodate this. Ireland and Sweden will be the first of the multinationals to deploy. The mission is planned to reach full operational capability by mid-May 2008.

A total of eight members of the Permanent Defence Force are currently deployed with the mission in Chad. All are reported to be safe and well. A Defence Forces engineering reconnaissance party travelled to Chad yesterday to examine the requirement to put in place the necessary infrastructure to enable the deployment of the Irish battalion to Goz Beida in south-eastern Chad.

The deployment of approximately 50 Army Ranger Wing personnel to the mission area is scheduled for tomorrow. It is expected the main deployment of approximately 400 Irish troops to the mission area will be completed by mid to late May 2008.

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