Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said he understands that the actual deployment date of Irish peacekeepers to Chad is not too far away.
Mr Ahern was speaking at McKee Barracks in Dublin where he met some of the 400 soldiers whose departure to Central Africa has been delayed since before Christmas because of the failure of European countries to supply sufficient helicopters and medical backup for the EU mission.
The Taoiseach told the troops that while the lack of an exact deployment date has been frustrating for them, things will move very fast once it is announced.
Mr Ahern said the commander of the mission, Lt Gen Pat Nash, will only deploy his force when all arrangements are in order.
The Irish troops will be part of a 4,000-strong mission which will be sent to Chad to protect aid workers and hundreds of thousands of refugees who had fled the terror in neighbouring Darfur.
The Taoiseach acknowledged that the mission facing the soldiers will be very challenging and demanding, but he wished them a successful and safe tour of duty.
