The dispatch of 400 Irish peacekeeping troops to Chad has finally got the go-ahead today after a delay due to a lack of aircraft to transport them to the central African country.
The mission to Chad should begin deployment in February following a pledge by France to provide additional helicopters, medical back-up, troops and other equipment.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea said he agreed with the decision of force commander Lt Gen Pat Nash, not to commit the force until the equipment was available to make the mission as safe as possible.
The peacekeeping mission in Chad will aim to protect refugee camps housing more than 400,000 Chadian and Sudanese refugees fleeing attacks by rebels in both states.
Speaking today Mr O'Dea said the Chad mission is designated a medium risk, although there are concerns about bands of guerrillas taking "pot-shots" at UN peacekeeping forces.
Mr O'Dea said: "The danger is they tend to identify the UN force with the French with whom they have issues.
"One of our jobs when we go out there is initially we've got to make it absolutely clear that we are part of the UN mission, we're there to keep the peace, we're there for humanitarian reasons, we're not part of backing up any ex-colonial power."