Ahern inspects troops on Chad mission
Armed soldiers were inspected by Mr Ahern as he met the Defence Force’s Chief of Staff Lt Gen Dermot Earley.
Ireland has agreed to send more than 400 troops to the central Africa mission but logistics with airlifts and medical support for soldiers are holding up their deployment.
The Cabinet approved the most expensive Irish army mission ever in November. The Government maintains risk to Irish troops is “medium” and no Irish soldier will be put at unnecessary risk.
The EU mission is being led by Lt Gen Pat Nash, from Limerick, who will command more than 4,000 troops from several countries.
Yesterday, he held a meeting in Paris to discuss the transport of troops to Chad.
It will cost €57 million to send Irish troops to the region. An advanced party of up to 60 special forces are expected to fly out once helicopter, air and medical support are finalised, potentially in the coming weeks.
Mr Ahern yesterday gave words of encouragement to soldiers while he was visiting them and inspecting equipment at McKee barracks in north Dublin.
He said every effort was being made to send the ready troops out.
“With regard to your upcoming mission to Chad I know the lack of an exact deployment date is somewhat frustrating for you. I understand soldiers are no different to everyone else. Once you commit to doing something, naturally you want to be up and at it,” said Mr Ahern.
Troops from the EU countries, including France, Sweden, Poland and Romania, are being deployed to protect close to half a million Chadian and Sudanese refugees fleeing violence in neighbouring Darfur.
Mr Ahern said the start date for the mission was not far off.
“I understand the actual deployment date is not too far away. Like everything else, things will move very fast once its announced. In the meantime I would encourage all of you to make the best use of the training time available. The mission you face will be very challenging,” he said.
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