Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

Ireland has deployed 411 personnel to the UN-mandated European Union military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic. Some 371 personnel are deployed with the 97th infantry battalion at Goz Beida in the south east of Chad and 22 are deployed at the force headquarters in Chad. In addition, 18 personnel, including the operation commander, Lieutenant General Pat Nash, are deployed in the operational headquarters in Paris. Some 60 members of the Dutch Armed Forces, comprising an armoured scout platoon, have deployed with the Irish Battalion at its headquarters at Camp Ciara, Goz Beida.

The EU force, as defined in UN Security Council Resolution 1778 of 2007, is authorised to support the UN by contributing to protecting civilians in danger, particularly refugees and displaced persons. The mission is also mandated to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the free movement of humanitarian personnel by helping to improve security in the area of operations. The mission is also mandated to contribute to protecting United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment and ensure the security and freedom of movement of its staff and associated personnel.

Initial operational capability for the EUFOR mission was reached on 15 March 2008. This marked the start date for the 12-month duration of the operation as set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1778 of 2007. Full operational capability is expected to be reached by end of this month. When fully deployed, the EU force will comprise up to 3,700 personnel. As of mid-June, a total of 3,048 personnel have deployed to the mission area. EUFOR troops already deployed have been warmly welcomed by the local population and authorities. This is due in part to the information campaign undertaken by EUFOR throughout its area of operations and the professional manner in which troops from all member states are acquitting themselves on this mission.

Personnel of the Irish-led multinational battalion currently conduct patrols in and around Goz Beida, the Djabal refugee camp and sites for internally displaced persons, IDPs, within its area of responsibility. The Irish battalion's area of responsibility, which encompasses 76,000 sq km, equates to an area the size of Munster, Connacht and Leinster together. The battalion has continued to liaise with local contractors, authorities and NGOs. Such liaising had been established by personnel of the Army Ranger Wing during their recent deployment to Chad.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

Almost 450,000 refugees and internally displaced people who fled the violent and horrific conflict in Darfur are living in refugee camps along the border between Chad and Sudan. Irish troops are responsible for protecting and securing the area around these camps to ensure that the refugees can live free from fear of attack and that humanitarian aid can be safely distributed to them.

The theatre of operations for the Chad deployment poses serious logistical challenges due to the nature of the operation and the mission area and environment. However, the primary difficulties encountered to date by the Irish contingent are mostly associated with the weather, that is, extreme heat and the imminent arrival of the wet season, which will reduce mobility in the region.

The days prior to my recent visit to Chad had been particularly tense in the region, when EUFOR Irish troops, deployed to protect Djabal's IDP-refugee camps 4 km north west of Goz Beida, received incoming fire from an unknown group. Irish personnel returned warning fire. There were no casualties. On 14 June 2008, some 234 members of various NGOs were evacuated to Camp Ciara. They were given food, water and bedding in camp. Included in this figure are the UNHCR personnel who were evacuated at their own request by the Dutch contingent which is deployed with the Irish 97th infantry battalion. They were also brought to Camp Ciara where they were accommodated until it was safe for them to return to their own compound. The situation in the Irish battalion's area of responsibility is currently calm.

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