Sinn Féin shows contempt for Chad peacekeepers

SPEAKING in a recent Dáil debate on the Lisbon treaty, Sinn Féin spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh referred to the participation of the Irish defence forces in the UN-mandated and EU-led peacekeeping mission to Chad as a “military adventure”.

To describe our peacekeeping troops in such a manner was disrespectful and shows contempt for our defence forces.

I realise Sinn Féin’s regard for the Irish defence forces is coloured by past history. Still, it is pitiful to think that a mission with a central purpose of peacekeeping, being carried out in a highly dangerous area, should be described as a military escapade.

The EU mission to Chad, headed by Lieutenant General Patrick Nash, an Irishman, will have 4,500 army personnel when it is fully deployed.

The mission is primarily there to help address the humanitarian situation, whereby more than 300,000 people are living in refugee camps, having fled from the genocide that is taking place in Darfur, Sudan.

For Sinn Féin to describe this operation as a military adventure, when there is so much suffering going on in Chad, is in very bad taste.

But then this is the party that said it wanted a serious debate about the provisions of the EU Lisbon reform treaty and then said that those who negotiated this treaty for Ireland were akin to Dustin the turkey.

Seán Ó Cuill

Barrd’Ínse

Coolea

Macroom

Co Cork