Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

It is implicit in the Deputy's question that a request will be made by the UN. However, we have been requested by the UN to contribute to the blue hat mission that will follow the EUFOR mission after 15 March. Before making a final decision, we must consider various issues such as the composition of the proposed mission, its mandate, which countries currently involved in Chad will remain with the UN mission and the important question of logistical support, about which the Deputy rightly has had a great deal to say. I take his point about the cost of the transfer of equipment. The Department has made a significant investment and I am favourably disposed to continuing the mission under the aegis of the UN but it will require a Government decision, which will, in turn, require Dáil approval. We will have the UN mandate and all the information we need by 15 December and, therefore, the decision will be made shortly thereafter. If we decide to contribute to the blue hat mission, that will be put before the House.

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