The dispatch of Irish peacekeeping troops to Chad has been being delayed due to a lack of aircraft to transport them to the central African country.
Army Ranger units were due to depart to Chad in December with the main body of the 400 promised soldiers to follow shortly. However, this has now been postponed until January 2008 at the earliest.
While a spokeswoman for the Defence Forces refused to confirm the delay, it is understood that the main body of Irish troops will arrive in Chad two months later than planned.
The delay is being blamed on a lack of aircraft - due to be supplied by larger EUcountries - and medical care. However, sources said that some level of delay had to be expected in such operations.
The Irish troops are part of a 4,000-strong peacekeeping force that the EU pledged to help protect refugees and aid workers in the region.
The situation in Chad has worsened and earlier today rebel groups declared war on foreign soldiers. However, this is not believed to have contributed to the delayed deployment of Irish troops.
Fine Gael Defence Spokesman, Jimmy Deenihan TD, said this evening that the postponement by two months of the Irish Army mission to Chad is necessary but that it should never have occurred if warnings about the lack of air support were heeded.
"This mission is fraught with danger but from the beginning it was crystal clear that our troops were not being provided with the adequate support and resources."