400 Irish troops to join UN mission in Chad

SOME 400 Irish troops are to be deployed to the war-torn country of Chad in the most expensive mission ever undertaken by the army, following cabinet approval yesterday.

The troops will form part of a European Union military operation which will shortly be deployed to eastern Chad and north-eastern Central African Republic.

However, troops will not be deployed until Lt General Pat Nash, who is overseeing the operation, is satisfied current deficiencies are addressed. Recent problems have centred on the lack of a medical facility in Eastern Chad and the absence of helicopters and airplanes.

On Monday, Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea admitted it would be impossible for troops to serve in Chad without air support, such as helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

Deployment of 50 troops will begin next month, with the remaining beginning their service in February. It will cost €57 million to fly troops across. They will be among 4,300 UN troops due to be deployed to Chad and the Central African Republic to protect refugees.

At cabinet yesterday, government ministers granted permission for the mission to extend beyond a year if required. The mission is viewed as being of “medium risk” like previous missions to Liberia. Compared to Liberia, the terrain in Chad is much rougher and challenging. Next week, the mission will be debated by the Dáil and Seanad and has to be finally approved in a “triple lock” which includes the government and two houses of parliament.