The Defence Forces is expected to send a reconnaissance force to Chad as part of a UN peacekeeping mission to the country.
Speaking today the Minister for Defence said the mission had been approved at Cabinet level this morning and the expected 300-350 Army personnel will be deployed in the next couple of weeks subject to Dáil approval.
Minister O'Dea said the purpose of the mission is "to support the authorities in both Chad and the Central African Republic in protecting refugees from Darfur, assisting in the delivery of humanitarian aid and ensuring the free movement of humanitarian personnel".
"This mission will compliment the work of the UN/AU hybrid mission being launched in Sudan Darfur" Mr O'Dea added.