Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister, congratulate him on his new portfolio and look forward to a very good working relationship with him. I also extend my best wishes to the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Dermot Earley, and his family following the announcement of his premature retirement on medical grounds. Lieutenant General Earley showed great leadership not only in the Defence Forces, but also on the playing fields of Ireland and in his community.

There were a number of reports in the national media, including RTE, from UN officials that they felt the Minister's announcement of the withdrawal of the Defence Forces from Chad undermined delicate negotiations which were ongoing at that time in N'Djamena between UN officials and the Chadian Government and that it probably supported the case of those who did not want the UN in Chad. Will the Minister confirm that?

Alain Le Roy, the under secretary for peacekeeping, expressed concern about the withdrawal of the mission before and after the announcement. John Holmes, the UN humanitarian chief, also expressed concern when the Minister made the announcement. Will the Minister confirm that when he made the announcement, the United Nations was very clear Ireland would withdraw its troops?

In view of the fact hundreds of thousands of refugees in these camps will be unprotected, what arrangements will be put in place to replace the Irish mission? Will the Minister confirm whether he will withdraw all the equipment from Chad or will he leave some there?

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