The Minister for Defence, who is on a visit to Chad, has been forced to cancel a planned visit to refugee camps in the Irish area of operation because of the security situation.
However, Willie O'Dea was able to meet Irish soldiers at their camp near Goz Beida.
Mr O'Dea regretted that the visits were called off. But he said that the events in the past few days have shown Irish troops are making a difference and enhancing Ireland's reputation for standing by those in greatest need and in greatest danger.
Mr O Dea's three-day visit to Chad comes after clashes at the weekend when Irish troops were fired on. Since then the situation in the area been monitored by Irish troops has been described as calm but tense.
In the capital N'Djamena Mr O'Dea met the Chadian Defence Minister and the head of the UN in the country.
Mr O'Dea and Chief of staff Lt Gen Dermot Earley then flew to the Irish camp at Goz Beida where they were briefed on the impact on the ground of the recent incidents.
