Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the present position in Chad; the contact which has been had with Irish soldiers serving in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10291/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The situation in Chad remains complex, fluid and fragile. A rebel attack on N'Djamena in early February led to at least 160 deaths and thousands of people being displaced before it was repulsed by Government forces. The main group of rebels is now located near the Sudanese border. According to some reports, a new rebel offensive remains a possibility. The UN Security Council has urged an end to violence and recalled its commitment to the sovereignty and political independence of Chad. Approximately half of the 30,000 Chadians who fled to Cameroon during the fighting in N'Djamena are believed to have returned.

The increase in the EU's political leverage in Chad as a result of the EUFOR mission's presence should be used to support political reform and democratisation. While the state of emergency, which includes curfews and restrictions on movement and the media, imposed by President Deby on 15 February may be necessary as a temporary measure from a security perspective, the EU wishes to see it enforced with moderation and lifted as soon as feasible. The EU will continue to impress on the Chadian authorities the importance of continuing the process of dialogue with the peaceful opposition that began in August 2007.

The difficult relationship between Sudan and Chad, which has grown steadily worse in the past few months, is a matter of ongoing concern. The EU has urged both parties to refrain from violent acts and from supporting each others' rebel groups.

Deployment of EUFOR TCHAD-RCA, which was delayed due to rebel activity, commenced on 12 February. Some 700 troops from a number of member states are now in situ. The operation commander expects that the force will have initial operating capability later this month. Full operational capability is anticipated by May or June before the start of the rainy season. At that stage, the Irish contribution will be approximately 400 personnel. Currently, 56 Irish personnel are deployed in theatre.

The Defence Forces are in daily contact with Irish troops serving in Chad through the operations centre in Defence Forces HQ Dublin and through the personnel serving with Lieutenant General Nash in Paris. He is confident of the force's ability to maintain its own safety in the face of any threat. The Government remains strongly committed to the humanitarian objectives of EUFOR TCHAD-RCA.