Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied with the fixed and rotary wing air transport support that is available to the Irish battalion in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17863/09]

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on media reports that the UN peace support mission in Chad is at half strength and has insufficient helicopter support; if Ireland may be asked to increase the number of troops contributing to this mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17650/09]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied with the level of back-up support being provided to Irish troops in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17468/09]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by the UN's assistant secretary for peacekeeping, Mr. Edmund Melet, that the UN operation in Chad has less than half the troops required and it is chronically short of helicopters; his views on whether these shortages may expose Irish troops to undue risk; if he has raised the matter with the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17776/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 80, 92 and 110 together.

On 15 March 2009, MINURCAT, the United Nation's led mission in Chad and the Central African Republic assumed operational control of the United Nations force of 2,085 personnel, including 1,877 troops re-hatted from eight EUFOR contributors. An Irish officer, Brigadier General Gerald Aherne, has been appointed Deputy Force Commander in the mission. In the eight short weeks or so since MINURCAT took over the force, the mission is facing a number of challenges – mainly force generation, a shortfall in helicopter assets and fuel shortages in Chad.

In his report last month to the United Nations Security Council on the MINURCAT mission, the Secretary-General indicated that the build-up of the force will be phased, with a period of consolidation prior to the beginning of the rainy season in June 2009. The force was expected to reach its full troop strength of 5,200 by the end of 2009 but this has now been revised downwards to 4,700 by that date. As of 30 April 2009, the MINURCAT force strength was 2,400 troops. It is likely to reach a strength of 3,000 troops by 30 June 2009. The pace of troop generation has been attributed to the brief period allowed between the United Nation's authorisation of the military component of MINURCAT and the deployment of military personnel. There has been no request from the UN and Ireland has no plans to increase its commitment to MINURCAT. In addition, the UN has only received pledges for 10 of the 18 military helicopters detailed in the force requirements. It has urged Member States to meet the shortfalls in personnel and air assets, particularly night-capable military helicopters, to ensure the mission can implement its mandate without constraint.

There are currently eight (8) fixed wing aircraft and ten (10) Rotary aircraft assigned by the UN to the MINURCAT mission. There are three (3) fixed wing and six (6) rotary aircraft located in Abéché, five (5) fixed wing and (2) Rotary aircraft in N'Djamena. Regarding helicopter support available to the Defence Forces contingent in Goz Beida, two UN helicopters are currently available to the Defence Forces serving with MINURCAT. In addition, the Defence Forces have retained the two contracted Mi-8T helicopters to support its operations in Chad. As such, there are now four helicopters based in Goz Beida.

The detailed threat assessment and reconnaissance undertaken informs decisions regarding the configuration of the contingent and its armaments and protection. In the case of MINURCAT, as was the case with the EUFOR mission, the Defence Forces have deployed a full range of force protection assets, including 18 MOWAG APCs and 4 Close Reconnaissance Vehicles and indirect fire capabilities (mortars). Together, these provide the necessary armoured protection, mobility, firepower and communications. The MOWAG APCs deployed were also deployed with the Defence Forces when they served with UNMIL in Liberia and UNIFIL in Lebanon, where they performed very effectively. The Defence Forces have also deployed a suite of robust tactical communications systems.

The fuel problems being encountered by MINURCAT are common to the whole of Chad, as there is a country-wide fuel crisis. The UN is fully exercised on the issue and all possible sources of fuel for MINURCAT contingents are being investigated by the UN to meet the mission's current needs. This includes the airlifting of fuel from a neighbouring UN mission, which has been ongoing. The UN has indicated that once sufficient fuel stock has been rebuilt in Abeche, the UN should be prepared for future countrywide crises of this nature.

Fuel conservation measures at Camp Ciara, where personnel of the Irish Battalion are based, are being constantly reviewed. While there has been some limitations on operations conducted by the Irish Battalion, the maintenance of essential "life support" systems in the Irish Camp i.e. water, cooking, sanitation, air –conditioning etc., has continued to be prioritised by the Defence Forces. The Irish Battalion has retained the capability to react to emergency situations using both air and land assets. Fuel rationing is expected to continue until the 1st of June when a new UN contract is mobilised. The situation continues to be monitored closely by the Defence Forces. I am satisfied that all necessary measures are being taken by the UN to address the various difficulties faced by the mission in its transition period.