Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Defence the amount of free telephone call time that will be available to each of the Irish troops in Chad per month in order to enable them to communicate with their families here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20005/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I am very conscious of the commitment given by military personnel on overseas duty and the impact it has on their families and loved ones. Regular contact with home helps to sustain the high morale of military personnel serving overseas and facilitating communication with home is seen as a priority. In the normal course of events all personnel serving overseas are entitled to one free five minute phone call per month. Special arrangements are provided in relation to duration of calls for personnel serving on isolated missions or in places where there is no local telecommunications infrastructure. With regard to the mission to Chad 45 minutes free telephone call credit per tour of duty is provided to personnel on a four month or less tour. 90 minutes free telephone call credit per tour of duty is provided to personnel on a six month tour.