Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

As I said, it is not only to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid but also to protect UN personnel. I await the return of the Minister for Defence who will have first-hand knowledge, having been to Chad, and who will be able to give us the most up-to-date position. The Deputy hypothesised about a potential deterioration of the situation and a heightening of tensions which could lead to an international conflict. We hope that will not be the case and the UN is making every effort to try to prevent that from happening. However, the situation is very tense. There is a clear mandate in terms of how the troops are operating at present. If the situation changes, that will call for a review.

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