Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The initial phase of the incremental return to the mission to Camp Faouar was completed in September 2016 and further deployment took place during 2017 so we have a number of troops there.

This involved the deployment of a Nepalese mechanised infantry company and elements of the force headquarters staff, including eight Irish Defence Forces officers. As I said, it is anticipated that the relocation of Irish personnel will be completed in September 2018 as further checks and balances are carried out to make sure our troops are safe.

As I have stated I am not sure of the exact reasons but, for their own personal reasons, the Finns and the Estonians have pulled out. I understand they have other missions in Africa. As with ourselves, perhaps they are pulling out because of numbers. It may be because of challenges in their own home countries. They have not pulled out as a result of any particular grievance against the UN mission or anything like that. I spoke to the Czech Minister at a recent European Council meeting. My officials are in contact with her officials in that regard. I also spoke to the Czech Chief of Staff when I was in the company of my own Chief of Staff at a recent overseas mission. The Czech Republic is looking at this very seriously. I understand and know that it cannot accommodate us during 2018, but it definitely will towards the end of 2019. That is one of the reasons we are going to backfill in 2019.

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