Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 72, 76 and 92 together.

Ireland currently has 420 personnel serving with the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad, MINURCAT. The UN mandate for this mission is due to expire on 15 March 2010. The question of the renewal of the mandate and the duration of any such renewal is currently under discussion at the UN and discussions in this regard are also ongoing with the Chadian authorities.

I am aware that President Déby has written to the UN Secretary General suggesting that the MINURCAT mission should be brought to a conclusion and withdrawn. It will be a matter for the Security Council to decide how and when a mission should be concluded.

Subject to renewal of the mandate by the UN Security Council, Ireland is committed to maintaining the Defence Forces contingent in Chad with MINURCAT for at least another year. However, should the UN mandate end, the Defence Forces will withdraw, and it is envisaged that a period of consolidation and renewal would be allowed for training and equipment maintenance before the Defence Forces would undertake a further mission. The costs of repatriation of Irish troops and equipment from MINURCAT would be met by the UN.

Ireland is currently contributing 759 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. The number of Defence Forces personnel deployed overseas will reduce to approximately 510 personnel in the second half of 2010 due to plans to reduce Ireland's contribution to the EU-led mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the NATO-led mission in Kosovo. In the event that the Irish contingent is withdrawn from Chad, it would further reduce Ireland's commitment to overseas peace support operations to approximately 100 by the end of this year.

I am satisfied that the required logistical support of Irish troops currently deployed with MINURCAT is being delivered in accordance with national standards. There are no concerns in regard to real life support for Irish troops at this time.

I am aware of a report by Amnesty International on violence against refugee women in eastern Chad which was published last year. I understand that Amnesty International Ireland has contacted the Minister for Foreign Affairs in regard to the above-mentioned report. The Government shares the concern of Amnesty International Ireland at the content of the report and will continue to make Ireland's voice heard with regard to Chad. Ireland will do its utmost to contribute to protecting the vulnerable and building a lasting peace.

The United Nations mission in the Central African Republic and Chad, which comprises civil, police and military components, is authorised, inter alia, to take all necessary measures, within its capabilities and its area of operations in eastern Chad, in liaison with the Government of Chad, to contribute to protecting civilians in danger, particularly refugees and internally displaced persons.

Ireland has made substantial efforts and contributed strongly to the efforts to improve the security and protection of the people in the region and to defend their human rights. To this end, we have maintained over 400 Irish troops on the ground in Chad with MINURCAT and previously with the former EU-led mission in Chad. In addition, since the beginning of 2007, Ireland has provided more that €15 million in funding humanitarian relief projects in Chad.

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