The decision on when to send Irish troops to Chad has been deferred because of concerns about security at the central African country's airport in the capital N'Djamena.
An advance contingent of 54 troops was due to fly out last Thursday to Chad as part of the European Union's Eufor mission, but a rebel offensive on Saturday led to N'Djamena airport being shut.
France, which is providing over 2,000 troops to the 3,700-strong force, is now in control of the airport but is currently not making it available to Eufor becuase it is being used for evacuations.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea today told the Cabinet that Lieutenant General Pat Nash had advised that deployment could not take place for at least a week.
"Provided that the situation continues to stabilise, the deployment of our troops is expected to take place within 8 - 10 days. However, this is contingent upon the prevailing operational circumstances and the availability of the airport," Mr O'Dea said.
"The Defence Forces are continuing to maintain regular contact with the eight soldiers currently serving in Chad and I have been advised that all are safe and well. We will take whatever action is necessary to ensure the safety of our personnel. We will continue to monitor the situation in consultation with EU partners and the Operational Commander Lieutenant General Pat Nash," Mr O'Dea added.
More than 400 Irish troops are due to be deployed as part of the UN-mandated force charged with protecting refugees who have fled the conflict in the neighbouring Sudanese region of Darfur and Chadians displaced by unrest in the east of the country.
The troops are due to be deployed in Abéché in the east of the country but its airport does not have a landing strip which can receive the Irish force. Eufor aircraft must therefore land in N'Djamena which is 800km away in the southwest.
The capital was attacked over the weekend by rebels seeking the ousting of President Idriss Deby.
The rebels today said they would declare a cease-fire if Mr Deby resigns but he has received the support of the international community and today French President Nicolas Sarkozy said his troops would assist the government militarily if required.
"If France has to do its duty, it will. No one should doubt that."
France has the largest contingent of troops in the Eufor mission to its former colony but overall command lies with Lieut Gen Nash.