Peacekeeping in Chad - No support, no mission

WE HAVE a long tradition of punching above our weight in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Our commitment to that honourable cause should not blind us to reality. Neither should we feel obliged to send ill-equipped Irish troops where they will be exposed to lethal threat. If they are to put their lives at risk — and they may be asked to do so in Chad — they must have the very best of support and equipment.

Patently, that is not the case and Defence Minister Willie O’Dea is right to be concerned. The mission has been delayed because nobody has offered the air support vital to the success of any such mission.