Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

According to today's The New York Times, the American embassy in the Sudan is allowing a large number of its staff leave the country. Embassies beginning to move staff out of countries is a serious development. Of the 85 NGOs operating in the Sudan, up to 16 have been expelled by the Sudanese President with threats to the others. If the peacekeepers were moved from Darfur, it could lead to the internal displacement and the movement of millions into Chad. Is the Minister confident that EUFOR will have the capacity to handle such a doomsday situation if this were to happen? If it does not have the resources, what will the Minister do to ensure it has adequate resources? Has he contacted the other countries involved in the mission? Initially, Lieutenant General Pat Nash was concerned about the Defence Forces' equipment for the mission? Does the Minister believe they are sufficiently equipped to face this highly possible doomsday scenario?

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