Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Defence the arrangements which are in place to supply fresh bottled water to Irish troops serving in Chad; if these arrangements are being discontinued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35185/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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With effect from 01 October 2009, the United Nations Mission in the Republic of Chad and the Central African Republic (MINURCAT) has discontinued direct provisioning of bottled drinking water to all Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) operating water treatment plants in theatre. Ireland presently operates three (3) such plants, which provide both potable and sanitary water for personnel use at Goz Beida. The treatment plants provide potable water, which has been made available from ground extraction through a water purification system (which meets current international standards) and is suitable and fit for human consumption. Nonetheless, Ireland is investigating the issue with MINURCAT of continuing with direct provisioning of bottled drinking water to the Irish contingent, due to issues which may potentially arise in the future e.g. the likely impact on local aquifers of further UN construction works and increased staff occupancy at Goz Beida.