Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister. Will he clarify that the Security Council resolution has been formally adopted so that there is no likelihood of a security vacuum when the troops withdraw from Chad, which is enormously important? I understand that Ban Ki-moon has expressed the intention to increase the personnel deployed when the EUFOR mission is taken over, essentially, by the UN, from the current figure of approximately 3,300 to around 6,000 at that stage, at some point in 2009. When will the Minister consider — I hope, favourably — the application of the UN for Irish troops to remain as part of its mission? Does he envisage a scenario whereby there will be potential to increase the number of troops deployed from Ireland as part of that ongoing mission?

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