Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I agree with the Minister and Deputy Wall that air support is critical. I understand it is the beginning of the rainy season in Chad and it will be impossible to travel overland in jeeps or 4WDs. Therefore, air support and transport are essential if the troops are to carry out their functions properly.

I have three questions. First, I understand the issue originally raised by the UN spokesperson concerned the protection of humanitarian staff working in Chad, which caused some confusion at the time. Will the Minister clarify that, apart from protecting refugees and the camps, the Irish mission's brief is to protect humanitarian workers in the vicinity of the camps? It is important to have this clarified. The Minister mentioned the subject in his reply.

Second, a matter I raised earlier, two UAV spy drones went missing.

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