The Government could decide as early as next week to send troops to Chad to protect refugees from the conflict in neighbouring Darfur.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, hinted at the initiative after lunch at the Élysée Palace with President Nicolas Sarkozy. Mr Ahern said there was "no difference of approach" between France and Ireland on Darfur and he paid tribute to Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern, who had "played a key role" on the issue.
The Taoiseach indicated that he might send Irish peacekeepers to Chad. "I've given some consideration, because of the appalling refugee problem, of playing a part in some form in Chad," he said. "That's something we have to make a final decision on shortly."
The deployment to Chad would involve between 500 and 600 Irish peacekeepers. About 750 Irish soldiers are due home soon from duties in Lebanon and Liberia. "We have the numbers to spare," said an Irish official.
The Government previously considered sending troops to Darfur, where they risked being caught between warring parties.
