Tom Sheahan
Question:81 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Defence when he will make a decision on the extension of the Chad mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42779/08]
View answerWednesday, 26 November 2008
Questions (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
Liz McManus
Question:102 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Defence if it is intended to extend the mandate of the Irish contingent serving with EUFOR beyond March 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42765/08]
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Noel O'Flynn
Question:114 Deputy Noel O’Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the implications for Ireland and for the Defence Forces, of the United Nations taking over direct command of the EUFOR mission in Chad and the Central African Republic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42722/08]
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Kathleen Lynch
Question:126 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the EUFOR military mission in Chad. [42764/08]
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Niall Collins
Question:129 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Defence the number of Irish troops serving as part of the UN mandated EU mission in Chad; the nature of the duties they are undertaking; the current level of risk; if the mission has assisted displaced persons in returning home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42683/08]
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 102, 114, 126 and 129 together.
The European Union military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR TCHAD/RCA, established under the authority of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1778 (2007), was formally launched by the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 28 January 2008. A total of 400 Defence Forces personnel are currently serving with EUFOR – 18 at the Operational HQ in Paris and 382 in Chad (23 at the Force Headquarters, and 359 as part of the 98th Infantry Battalion). The headquarters of the 98th Infantry Battalion are located at Goz Beida in south east Chad. The threat level is currently assessed as low/medium.
Ireland is the second largest contributor to the mission with 400 personnel. The aim of the mission is to protect civilians in danger, particularly refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and protect UN personnel. The mandate of the EUFOR mission is due to expire on 15 March 2009. The nature of the duties includes, inter alia, long range patrolling, situational awareness patrols, familiarisation patrols. The EUFOR Tchad/RCA Mission is progressing most satisfactorily. Despite the challenges that have faced EUFOR Tchad/RCA a solid foundation has been laid, which will help prepare the way to build future successes and contribute to the long-term beneficial impact of a safe and secure environment for those most vulnerable in Eastern Chad and North Eastern Central African Republic.
The return in recent months of some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their villages of origin in the vicinity of Kerfi, which is near Goz Beida, has been a positive development. They primarily returned due to the presence of the EUFOR troops and the deteriorating conditions in the camps with regard to the lack of water and reduced rations.
There was a number of isolated incidents of banditry and criminality in the Irish area of operations recently. Notwithstanding this, the presence of the 98th Infantry Battalion patrols in theatre have resulted in an increased feeling of security among the Non-Governmental Organisations, the international organisations and the local community. The commencement of the harvest season and the associated movement of nomads has not brought about any rise in ethnic tension and only minor incidents have occurred in areas previously affected by criminality. The overall situation in the Irish Battalion's area of operations is assessed as calm but volatile.
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 the EUFOR mission when its mandate expires on 15 March 2009. The Security Council requested the Secretary-General to submit a report on the follow-on operation concerning its size, structure and mandate. A decision on the matter will be taken by the Security Council by 15 December 2008. I very much welcome the authorising of a United Nations military component to follow-on the European Union Mission when its mandate expires on 15 March 2009. It is important that we do not have an interregnum in the security situation and continue to facilitate the UN's Operation Planning and the Force Generation process.
The Government has approved, in principle, the Defence Forces continued participation in the UN follow-on mission. Final approval will be considered in the context of the UN mandate, the extent to which other current EU Member States contribute to the follow-on mission and the level of logistics support that will be provided. Ireland will require, at a minimum, that the current level of logistical support available to Irish Defence Force personnel continues to be provided.