If the Government and Dáil agree to send troops to the EU military operation in Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR) it may be the "most expensive mission ever undertaken by the Defence Forces", Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea has told the Dáil.
He said that "unlike UN operations, there is no reimbursement from the EU for costs incurred in participation in the operation. However, the massive scale of suffering calls for a response. Affluent western countries such as Ireland have a duty to step up to the plate."
Mr O'Dea was speaking during a debate in which the Dáil gave approval for a senior Defence Forces officer, Maj-Gen Pat Nash, to serve as Operations Commander for the proposed EU military operation in Chad and the CAR.
Maj-Gen Nash, who will be based in Paris, will have up to four support staff, and "will assume immediate leadership in the planning and launch of the operation". The Minister said the post was "a very prestigious position" and a "recognition of the standing of the Defence Forces in fields of peace support operations generally."
The EU operation will support the UN Minurcat mission for the security and protection of civilians, and for the maintenance of human rights and the rule of law in eastern Chad and north-eastern CAR.
Mr O'Dea highlighted France's close relationship with the government of Chad and its long-term strategic military presence there. "France's influence was crucial to secure the agreement of Chad to an EU military deployment under UN authorisation."
Fine Gael defence spokesman Jimmy Deenihan said there were worries about sufficient air support for Irish troops. Mr Deenihan, who raised the issue in the Dáil last week, calling for a 50-seat long-range aircraft, said the need for such an aircraft would grow and "we ought to keep ahead of this need so that the lives of our Defence Force personnel are not risked for the sake of 'cost efficiency'".
Labour spokesman Brian O'Shea highlighted the dangers for civilians in Chad, including "water and firewood shortages and a serious problem as regards lack of respect for, and the rape of, women".
Sinn Féin spokesman Aengus Ó Snodaigh said it was an honour for Maj-Gen Nash to be chosen, but said that the majority of EU troops in Chad would be French and he was concerned "that France is playing such an important role in this EU force considering its role in this area in the past as an imperial power".
