Dáil debates

Wednesday, 2 July 2008

Priority Questions

Overseas Missions.

1:00 pm

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Defence the role played to date by the Defence Forces contingent serving with EUFOR in Chad; the main difficulties being encountered to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26049/08]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has deployed 411 personnel to the UN-mandated European Union military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic. Some 371 personnel are deployed with the 97th infantry battalion at Goz Beida in the south east of Chad and 22 are deployed at the force headquarters in Chad. In addition, 18 personnel, including the operation commander, Lieutenant General Pat Nash, are deployed in the operational headquarters in Paris. Some 60 members of the Dutch Armed Forces, comprising an armoured scout platoon, have deployed with the Irish Battalion at its headquarters at Camp Ciara, Goz Beida.

The EU force, as defined in UN Security Council Resolution 1778 of 2007, is authorised to support the UN by contributing to protecting civilians in danger, particularly refugees and displaced persons. The mission is also mandated to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the free movement of humanitarian personnel by helping to improve security in the area of operations. The mission is also mandated to contribute to protecting United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment and ensure the security and freedom of movement of its staff and associated personnel.

Initial operational capability for the EUFOR mission was reached on 15 March 2008. This marked the start date for the 12-month duration of the operation as set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1778 of 2007. Full operational capability is expected to be reached by end of this month. When fully deployed, the EU force will comprise up to 3,700 personnel. As of mid-June, a total of 3,048 personnel have deployed to the mission area. EUFOR troops already deployed have been warmly welcomed by the local population and authorities. This is due in part to the information campaign undertaken by EUFOR throughout its area of operations and the professional manner in which troops from all member states are acquitting themselves on this mission.

Personnel of the Irish-led multinational battalion currently conduct patrols in and around Goz Beida, the Djabal refugee camp and sites for internally displaced persons, IDPs, within its area of responsibility. The Irish battalion's area of responsibility, which encompasses 76,000 sq km, equates to an area the size of Munster, Connacht and Leinster together. The battalion has continued to liaise with local contractors, authorities and NGOs. Such liaising had been established by personnel of the Army Ranger Wing during their recent deployment to Chad.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

Almost 450,000 refugees and internally displaced people who fled the violent and horrific conflict in Darfur are living in refugee camps along the border between Chad and Sudan. Irish troops are responsible for protecting and securing the area around these camps to ensure that the refugees can live free from fear of attack and that humanitarian aid can be safely distributed to them.

The theatre of operations for the Chad deployment poses serious logistical challenges due to the nature of the operation and the mission area and environment. However, the primary difficulties encountered to date by the Irish contingent are mostly associated with the weather, that is, extreme heat and the imminent arrival of the wet season, which will reduce mobility in the region.

The days prior to my recent visit to Chad had been particularly tense in the region, when EUFOR Irish troops, deployed to protect Djabal's IDP-refugee camps 4 km north west of Goz Beida, received incoming fire from an unknown group. Irish personnel returned warning fire. There were no casualties. On 14 June 2008, some 234 members of various NGOs were evacuated to Camp Ciara. They were given food, water and bedding in camp. Included in this figure are the UNHCR personnel who were evacuated at their own request by the Dutch contingent which is deployed with the Irish 97th infantry battalion. They were also brought to Camp Ciara where they were accommodated until it was safe for them to return to their own compound. The situation in the Irish battalion's area of responsibility is currently calm.

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. In regard to what were seen as disappointing remarks by UN officials on Irish participation, the media have reported that the Minister and the Chief of Staff, Lt. General Earley, sought to have the matter rectified. Can the Minister confirm that the matter has been put to bed and that harmony has been restored?

Concerns have been expressed about air protection for Defence Forces members in the area. Has France provided the necessary protection or are the newspaper reports that two helicopters have been hired correct?

Will the deadline for the mission be extended beyond March 2009? There have been indications that the Minister may decide to extend the mission in order to ensure continuity and further involvement by UN troops.

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In regard to Deputy Wall's first question, comments were made to an Irish newspaper on 18 June by a representative of the UNHCR. Within hours of the statement, the UNHCR officially contacted the Chief of Staff and me to apologise for those remarks and to thank the Army for the work it has done on the ground. Later that day, I met the regional representative of the UNCHR in Camp Ciara in Goz Beida, who personally apologised to me and thanked me for the Army's efforts in regard to the evacuation of UNHCR staff. During the previous day, I met the special representative of the UN Secretary General, who expressed similar sentiments. I regard the incident as closed and we will work together with UNHCR staff to fulfil our mandate to the best of our abilities.

I will respond in detail to Deputy Wall's question on air assets later in the context of parliamentary questions which specifically raise the matter.

I want to clarify the issue of the deadline. I read a newspaper report which claimed the Government was getting worried because I emphasised that the deadline is 15 March 2009. I was asked a straight question regarding the length of time decided on by the Cabinet for the deployment of troops to Chad. We decided to deploy them for 12 months, from 15 March 2008 to 15 March 2009. I do not know how anybody could have interpreted that to mean that I was worried. A mid-term review will be conducted next month and it is intended that a traditional UN blue helmet mission will be ready to replace the current EUFOR mission in Chad before 15 March 2009, so there will be no hiatus. If that is successful, I do not doubt that we will be approached to contribute to the UN mission but if the ambitious deadline is not met, the present operation will without doubt be continued in some shape or form and, again, we will be asked to contribute. That decision will be taken by the Government. I will study the military operation, consult with the Army and travel to Chad to review the situation on the ground before bringing my recommendations to the Government. Giving a straight answer to a straight question should not imply that I am in any way worried or that I mean something other than the plain words uttered in the English language.

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Defence Forces personnel who live in my constituency, of whom there are many, appreciate the Minister's visit to Chad and the media coverage it received. It is important that we have regard for the loved ones of personnel serving in the region.

In regard to the extension, there have been reports in the media that the UN is declining to meet the financial implication of the mission to Chad. Extending the deployment will obviously entail further costs. Will negotiations be entered into with the UN if that happens? The total mission cost is projected to be €77 million, which will put pressure on the Department of Defence in the current economic downturn. How will that be addressed?

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The cost will be €57 million, a large part of which covers the transportation of equipment to the region. Normally, contributing countries to UN-led missions are reimbursed for most of the costs they incur. If a mission is organised by the European Union or the African Union at the behest of the UN, each country carries its own costs. I do not know whether a hybrid arrangement can be reached if the UN is unable to step up to the mark but that is a matter for negotiation.

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Chad and the situation of the Irish troops there. [25785/08]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I visited Chad from 16 to 18 June 2008 to see at first hand the work of Defence Forces personnel serving with EUFOR. I was accompanied on my visit by the Secretary General of my Department, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lt. General Dermot Earley, and Kyle O'Sullivan, Ireland's ambassador to Nigeria, accredited to Chad. On arrival in N'Djamena, I met with Chad's Secretary of State for National Defence, General Hassan Saleh Al-Djinedi and, afterwards, with Mr. Victor Da Silva Angelo, the special representative of the UN Secretary General, who is head of the UN mission in Chad, MINURCAT.

In my meeting with General Hassan Saleh Al-Djinedi we discussed the role of EUFOR. I outlined the mandate and the neutral and impartial nature of the force. I specifically pointed out Ireland's neutral status and that our key concern and the reason for Ireland's participation was to create a safe and secure environment for refugees, internally displaced persons, IDPs, and the distribution of humanitarian aid. We also discussed the difficult security situation on the ground.

In my meeting with Mr. Victor Da Silva Angelo, I discussed the security situation in the camps and the ongoing work on the deployment of police and gendarmerie units. The special representative pointed to the difficulties involved in progressing the return of IDPs to their homes because of the fraught security situation on the ground and the lack of support available to returning IDPs. He noted that the difficult security situation is also impacting on humanitarian workers and their capacity to service the camps and advised me that the first contingent of police and gendarmerie commanders had just graduated from the UN course and that he expected to see significant progress on policing by the end of the rainy season. In referring to events over the previous few days, the special representative referred to the important role the Defence Forces had played in safely evacuating and providing shelter for the humanitarian workers in Goz Beida.

I also met with the deputy force commander, Colonel Derry Fitzgerald and other senior Irish officers based in EUFOR force headquarters, who briefed me on the security situation on the ground.

Additional information not provided on the floor of the House.

On 17 June 2008, I visited Camp Ciara, which is the headquarters of the Irish-led multinational battalion. The standard of the camp and the facilities in it are very impressive, particularly when one considers the distances and logistics involved in transporting the equipment and constructing the camp. Great credit is due to the advance party for the magnificent effort it has put into preparing the ground for the main contingent. After a series of briefings and lunch with the troops, I addressed them and congratulated them on the tremendous job they are doing under extremely difficult conditions and terrain. I conveyed to them the best wishes of the Government and the Irish people in the work they are undertaking.

The Irish personnel are already making a significant difference on the ground and are enhancing Ireland's international reputation as neutral, impartial and professional peacekeepers. I was very impressed by the motivation being shown by our troops in the performance of their duties in difficult circumstances, their energy and the good atmosphere in the camp generally.

The days prior to my recent visit had been particularly tense in the region. EUFOR Irish troops, which were deployed to protect Djabal IDPs and refugee camps north west of Goz Beida, received incoming fire from an unknown group. Irish personnel returned warning fire. There were no casualties. The Defence Forces personnel, along with their Dutch counterparts, were also involved in the evacuation of humanitarian workers, NGOs and staff of the UNHCR. A total of 234 personnel were brought to Camp Ciara where they were accommodated until it was safe for them to return to their own compounds.

While at the camp, I met representatives from the international organisations and Irish personnel from Concern. The local UNHCR representative in Goz Beida, Mr. Jose Fischel de Andrade, thanked me for the action which the Defence Forces had taken in evacuating humanitarian personnel, including UNHCR staff, and in accommodating them in the camp. Unfortunately, I had to cancel a scheduled visit to the UNHCR refugee camp and the IDP site due to the prevailing security situation. However, I did meet with some of them near the camp before departing. I am pleased to report that the situation in the Irish-led multinational battalion's area of responsibility is currently calm.

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for responding to my calls for helicopter support for the force in Goz Beida. I understand two helicopters are now in place. The mission has been successful to date and we should recognise the work of the Minister, his Department and Lt. General Pat Nash in regard to arranging the logistics. Transporting the equipment to Chad was a major task and it is important to acknowledge it was carried out efficiently. To date, things have gone well.

I have one specific question. Two unmanned air vehicles, spy drones, owned by the Army were lost in Chad. Was this due to technicalities or as a result of hostile fire? Also, can the Minister tell us of the cost of each unit? It is important this issue is clarified.

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Two helicopters, which have not yet been allocated, will be provided to the Goz Beida area. I appreciate Deputy Deenihan's remarks in that regard. Also, I appreciate his remarks in regard to what has been done to date. I will pass on his comments to the Army.

I take this opportunity to inform the House that I visited the camp and was very impressed, taking into account the distances and logistics involved, with what has been done in a very short time. I would also like to inform the House that the Irish troops and their EUFOR colleagues are making an enormous difference on the ground. The rate of attacks by bandits on defenceless people and aid workers and so on has reduced by approximately 95%, which is a significant contribution.

On the specific question raised by Deputy Deenihan, as I understand it the vehicles cost approximately €70,000 each. The vehicles are covered by warranty. Given the first vehicle was never found we are not in a strong position to argue about what happened. However, I understand the second vehicle malfunctioned and discussions in that regard are ongoing with the supplier.

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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The Government has been specific in regard to the non-continuance of the mission beyond the agreed date. Will the Minister agree that given the logistics are now in place and that the troops have settled in and have found their feet it would be practical to consider some extension to the duration of time the force will spend in Chad?

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the Deputy that much of the €57 million was spent on transporting the equipment to Chad, a factor which will have to be taken into account in consideration of a request for an extension to the mission.