Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

In view of Lieutenant General Nash's appearance on the Late Late Show, surely he could also appear before our committee dealing with defence matters to bring us up to date with a special briefing. Surely that is as important as appearing on the Late Late Show. I am, therefore, requesting such a meeting.

Having visited Africa on numerous occasions, the Minister of State is no doubt aware that the temperature in Chad will be 45 to 50 degrees. Our mission will never have experienced those types of temperatures before. The Irish Army will arrive in Chad at the start of the rainy season. I understand it will be on an island which is cut off. From the first question time on this mission last October, I have been asking what back-up the mission will have, including medevac helicopters to move those injured in combat or otherwise. In addition, what reconnaissance back-up is available? If troops cannot travel by land over much of this hostile territory because of the rainy season, they will have to do so by helicopter. During a previous question time the Minister said they would have to depend on others, such as the French, for helicopter back-up. Do our troops have their own helicopter back-up? Can the Minister of State confirm if progress has been made in providing such back-up facilities? Has a hospital been established in Abeche? How will people be taken from there to the main hospital in Italy?

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