THE EXCHEQUER will save €8 million if the Defence Forces withdraw from the UN mission in Chad when their current mandate is finished next March, the Dáil has heard.

But Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea said “because of the good work being done and the expertise being gained by the Irish troops, it is my preference that we continue in Chad”.

He was doing everything possible in Budget negotiations to ensure this but could not give an absolute assurance.

Fine Gael defence spokesman Jimmy Deenihan said if the Irish withdrew “it would certainly make it very difficult for the UN mission to continue as it stands” and it would be very unfair to personnel currently in training for 2010, if Ireland pulled out.

Mr O’Dea said his department’s budget was under discussion and if the Government decided to withdraw, the UN would pay for the repatriation of troops and equipment, with an exchequer saving of €8 million.

But only about half the 5,200 authorised number of personnel for the UN mission were in place, he said.

The loss of 400 experienced Irish troops, “who have been in the field from the beginning as part of the EUfor mission”, would be a major blow, he added.