Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

That is precisely the point. There will be no circumstances in which there will be no element of danger. We are entering a very troubled African country in a more or less constant state of rebellion. The rebellion is supported by Chad's powerful neighbour, Sudan, whose regime is in turn supported by the Government of China. There are constant efforts to disrupt the political system in Chad and one could not, under any circumstances, describe the circumstances that obtain as not being attended by some degree of danger. Deputy O'Shea analysed the matter very well in stating we have made conditions for our troops as safe as possible under the circumstances.

On the question of a possible repeat of the incident in N'Djamena a couple of weeks ago, my information suggests the rebels were decisively defeated, dispersed and forced to retreat towards the Sudanese border. The rebels, who are in two different groups, have not yet crossed the border and are still in Chad. Military intelligence suggests they would be quite incapable of mounting another operation this side of the rainy season, which begins in the first week of June. It will not be practical to operate during that season and it will, therefore, be the latter part of the year before they are capable of posing a threat again. In view of the fact that the rebels are supported strongly by Sudan and China, of which there is ample evidence, anything is possible. They may attack again.

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