Sir, – It is difficult to understand a French request for Irish troops to be deployed to Mali – should that request come formally.
France, according to the authoritative Military Balance 2015, has a mechanised infantry battle group, a logistics battalion and a helicopter unit containing three Tiger attack helicopters, eight troop-carrying helicopters and six light helicopters based in Mali.
The Irish Army could never put this sort of force in to the field with, or without, considering its existing UN commitment in Lebanon.
The very most Ireland could consider is enlarging the numbers in its role in the European Union training team but that, compared to the French force already there, is small beer.
– Yours, etc,
CHRISTOPHER
DORMAN-O’GOWAN
Northumberland,
UK.