Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 568: To ask the Minister for Defence if the report on the proposed operation in Chad has been completed covering in particular the risk assessment and requirement in terms of force protection; if same will be available to Deputies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30849/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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On 25 September, 2007, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1778 establishing a multi-dimensional mission in Chad and in the Central African Republic (CAR) that will help strengthen security in the region.

In October, a Defence Forces fact-finding team participated in an EU reconnaissance mission. The reconnaissance mission included visits to the region and to the designated Operational Headquarters for the operation in Paris. This was followed by a reconnaissance visit to the proposed area of operations by Defence Forces intelligence staff to conduct a detailed threat assessment.

A report on these reconnaissance missions, including a detailed threat assessment, was submitted to me by the Chief of Staff. Based on this assessment, on 20 Nov 2007, I sought and obtained the approval of the Government for the despatch of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the EU military operation named "EUFOR TCHAD/RCA." Tomorrow, I will move the necessary enabling motion in Dáil Eireann. At that stage, I will make a statement to the House, which will include a report on the results of the reconnaissance visits and details of Force protection assets being deployed.

As Deputies will appreciate, the Chief of Staff's report is a confidential report to me as Minister for Defence. The report contains information on the security situation in the region and is based on information received from confidential sources. As such, it would be inappropriate to release the report into the public domain.