Irish troops could be called to Mali to free up French soldiers

France has invoked a never before used part of the Lisbon Treaty that could see Irish troops sent to Mali on peacekeeping duties.

The EU's mutual-defence clause was activated after the Paris attacks and demands that member states help with French operations in order to free up troops to fight the so-called Islamic State.

The Taoiseach has said that a formal request for Irish troops to be deployed has not been received, but that Ireland will help the French cause: “We have been working with the French in Mali.

“We have ten members of the Irish defence forces out there doing particular duties, now a formal request has not come in from France yet, it may be dealing with extra personnel, that the French may withdraw from South Lebanon or Mali or whatever,

“We have said that within our conditions and our circumstances, we will assist where we can here.”