Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

Defence Forces personnel who live in my constituency, of whom there are many, appreciate the Minister's visit to Chad and the media coverage it received. It is important that we have regard for the loved ones of personnel serving in the region.

In regard to the extension, there have been reports in the media that the UN is declining to meet the financial implication of the mission to Chad. Extending the deployment will obviously entail further costs. Will negotiations be entered into with the UN if that happens? The total mission cost is projected to be €77 million, which will put pressure on the Department of Defence in the current economic downturn. How will that be addressed?

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