Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the position in respect of the prospects of peace in Chad. [20947/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2002, the political situation in Chad has been dominated by threats of armed rebellion against the government of President Idriss Déby. While the government signed an accord with civilian opposition parties in 2007, providing for a degree of political reform, armed rebel groups had remained active and intent on overthrowing the government by force. In the past year, however, the Government's success in halting a rebel advance from the east of the country seems to confirm that the Chadian armed forces have achieved military superiority.

The Government's financial and military advantage also suggests that a political change of leadership in Chad is unlikely in the immediate future. The ruling MPS party and the incumbent President Déby are expected to win in parliamentary and presidential elections which have been deferred respectively to November 2010 and April 2011 due to the slow pace of preparations.

Instability in eastern Chad is closely linked to the conflict in neighbouring Darfur. Cooperation between the governments of Sudan and Chad in addressing the causes of instability in the region is therefore vital. Relations between the two countries traditionally have been volatile and Ireland and the EU therefore gave particular welcome to the re-establishment of diplomatic and military ties between the two countries last February.

We will continue to monitor the political and humanitarian situation in Chad, and support humanitarian relief efforts, to which Ireland has contributed more than €17 million since 2007. The focus of our assistance has been on helping people forced from their homes by violence. As well as funding provided to the United Nations for coordination and the provision of food, we have supported Irish NGOs running camps and providing emergency eye care to refugees. Ireland has also provided funding to non-governmental and missionary organisations for work in areas such as gender equality.

Ireland's strong commitment to peace and security in Chad has been exemplified through our participation, since 2008, in the EUFOR and MINURCAT peace keeping operations in that country. While the Government had expected and planned for our continued participation in MINURCAT, the Government of Chad earlier this year requested the UN to withdraw the operation's military component. Ireland consequently sought assurances from the UN regarding the future of the mission and the nature of its mandate. However, it has not been possible to obtain that clarity, and the Government has taken the difficult decision to withdraw the bulk of the Irish contingent from the operation.

While discussions continue among the members of the Security Council on the mission's future, it is quite clear that its character will change significantly. Since it will no longer have the ability to ensure a safe and secure environment for refugees and displaced persons and to facilitate the free movement of humanitarian workers, NGOs and the UN, the Government sees little point in continuing our contribution to the mission. It is expected that MINURCAT will go non-operational in October and that the force will be finally withdrawn by the end of the year.