Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Defence the operational issues that would have to be considered to ensure continued Defence Force participation in peace-keeping in Chad, if EU forces are replaced by a UN mission in March 2009; if participation could continue, if the UN replaces the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35129/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The EU-led operation in the Republic of Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR TCHAD/RCA, was established for a period of one year from March 2008. A total of 409 Defence Forces personnel are currently serving with EUFOR — 18 at the Operational HQ in Paris and 391 in Chad (23 at the Force Headquarters, and 368 as part of the 98th Infantry Battalion). The security situation in Chad will require a multidimensional presence well beyond 15th March 2009 when EUFOR's mandate expires. On 24 September 2008, the UN Security Council, (UN Security Council Resolution 1834 (2008)) expressed its intention to authorise a United Nations military component to follow on from the EUFOR when its mandate expires on 15 March 2009. The Security Council requested the Secretary-General to submit a report on the follow on operation by 15 November 2008 concerning its size, structure and mandate. The Security Council should take a decision on the matter by 15 December 2008. To ensure a smooth transition between EUFOR and United Nations follow-on force, the UN has sent a formal request to Ireland to consider putting the Irish troops currently deployed in CHAD with EUFOR under the command of the United Nations after the 15 March 2009. This request is currently being considered by my Department in consultation with the Defence Forces. However, any decision to participate will need to await the outcome of ongoing discussions on the size, composition and mandate of the follow-on operation. Account will also be taken of the intentions of other current EU contributors and the support they would provide. Irish participation in a UN follow-on operation will, of course, be subject to the "Triple Lock" of UN mandate, Government and Dáil approval. I would be positively disposed to participation by the Defence Forces in the follow-on mission subject to the above issues being addressed.