Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

It could happen that Ireland would be forced to withdraw from Chad in July if the Government of Chad has its way. I understand a compromise is being sought whereby the UN force would remain in the north and central part of the battle theatre but that the Irish will be withdrawn from the south. This would be most unfortunate as the Irish have made a significant contribution to the protection of refugees. The Irish contingent has set up a state-of-the-art refugee camp and base in Chad and this has become an example for all other UN missions. I hope this withdrawal will not happen because we have made such a contribution there. Is the Department considering other missions where Irish military personnel could be deployed as UN peacekeepers? Foreign missions are the raison d'être of the Defence Forces, the lifeblood of our Defence Forces. The Minister of State gave the figures for reductions and our Defence Forces will lose much of their reason for being if they are not on missions abroad.

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