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GOVERNMENT DELAYS AND a lack of action on critical equipment have caused the rescue mission of Irish citizens in Sudan a “mission impossible”, an Independent TD has claimed.
Cathal Berry served as an officer in Irish Army Ranger Wing, the military unit tasked with assisting Department of Foreign Affairs diplomats on the rescue in the war ravaged African country.
Berry, who led a team of Rangers on a special forces mission in Chad during his time in the Irish Defence Forces, said that two key failings mean that his former colleagues will struggle in their mission to Sudan.
“We know from the Kabul rescue mission what is needed and how it needs to be carried out.
“The behaviour here has turned this from a challenging mission to a mission impossible for these young soldiers. We are putting them in harm’s way because the State has increased the risk to the point of making this a much more dangerous mission,” he said.
The ARW team have traveled in two seperate groups, known as “chalks” in military speak, to the mission.
A team of four Rangers travelled with consular staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday on board a series of commercial airline flights while a second group left Dublin this afternoon on board an Air Corps CASA.
Sources have said they will link up with a European military force, likely France’s, to fly the rest of the distance to the east African country of Djibouti, which is being used by international special forces units as a staging area for their operation.
50 Irish citizens have already been rescued on board French and Spanish military aircraft – it is understood another 100 or so have registered with the DFA and require a rescue.
A key difficulty for the Irish mission, sources say, is the lack of capacity to operate their own aircraft in and out of the country.
It’s also believed that Irish troops, because of a lack of strategic airlift capability, will have to borrow vehicles if a arises need to go into Khartoum in Sudan to rescue trapped citizens.
Berry claims that the Irish State has already failed on two key aspects of the mission: the provision of adequate transport for the rescue team; and the incorrect interpretation of legislation to deploy troops.
He suggests that claims that the operation is limited to just 12 troops due to the Triple Lock policy are inaccurate.
Currently, to send more than 12 Irish troops abroad, there needs to be approval by the Government, approval by the Dáil and a UN Resolution to mandate the mission.
The Irish state can send more troops on this operation, Berry suggests, because an amendment to the Defence Act in 2006 means that the Sudan mission is classed as a humanitarian operation and means an unlimited amount of troops can be deployed.
Berry said there should be at least 36 troops involved and that 12 soldiers is not enough.
“People in Government departments need to familiarise themselves with the legislation.
“It is incredible that on the eve of the deployment there is legal ambiguity whether we can send an adequate force or not.
“This is a major defence policy failure, this could have been solved not just days ago but months ago, it just to that beggars belief,” he said.
Berry also railed against the lack of an adequate aircraft to bring the troops from Ireland to the operational area and said reputational damage has been done to Ireland.
“The lack of logistical support is just not acceptable – not alone can we not reach our citizens in danger in Africa but we can’t even get off our own island without assistance.
“This country is a global hub for aircraft leasing. Ryanair are here, Aer Lingus are here but we still don’t have a strategic airlift capacity to conduct for our own sovereign purposes.
“Those nations we are depending on have a lot of work done, they’ve made their extractions and we are the last country in.
“We are at the end of the queue, hitch-hiking at the end of the runway dependant on tax payers from France and Germany to help us,” he added.
It is understood that the role for the ARW operators will be to manage communications and security for the diplomats.
But sources with a knowledge of ARW operations say that members may also be tasked with going into areas to carry out “interventions” where they physically extract trapped citizens.
They do not have vehicles and will have to borrow them from other states.
War fighting has seen a French convoy targeted by aircraft and the situation in Khartoum and surrounding areas is said to be too dangerous to travel by road.
It is understood the Rangers will embed themselves in the forces of other nations.
Two new C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft are due for delivery in June and September of this year and are capable of being configured in a strategic airlift transport role if required.
Strategic airlift capability was identified and prioritised as a capability for investment following Government approval of the Commission on Defence Report as part of the move to “Level of Ambition Two” capability.
A contract was recently awarded to Airbus at a cost of €68 million for the provision of a new Fixed Wing Military Transport Aircraft for the Defence Forces.
The Airbus C295W aircraft will provide a dedicated asset to support the Defence Forces military airlift transport requirements and provide a wide contingent capability.
The Government has said previously that the aircraft will enable the Air Corps to provide a wide range of services including logistics support and transport of troops and equipment, medical evacuation and air ambulance, Special Operations Forces operations and a general utility role. Delivery of this aircraft is expected in 2025.
National security sources have said that the new military transport aircraft may provide the Defence Forces with an opportunity to access strategic heavy airlift capabilities by linking up with a pool of EU aircraft as part of the European Air Transport Command (EATC).
The EATC is a group which allows member nations access larger aircraft on a lend basis.
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Insult him all you will,but he’s a fine example of a businessman who doesn’t use political sway to amass his fortune unlike other people ,he isn’t a tax exile . Previous to ryanair it wasn’t possible to go on short breaks to exciting cities due to cost , the man is a legend and should be treated as such.
Say what you like about ryanair,but we,re after booking flights to manchester for 2 adults and two kids with ryanair for €160,same flights we,re coming in at over €500,and thus out of our budget,at union infested dinosaur aer lingus!
belive hes doing a new calendar next year of him kissing puppies. .
Whoa! Slow down, this is all too much too fast!!..
What will they have next, a toilet attendant?
A blackinthejax at 40,000 feet :)
They still won’t let you check in online more than 7 days in advance unless you pay extra for an allocated seat though – they’ll always find some new way of trying to wring more money out of people….
I don’t mind flying with Ryanair because they are so cheap and it’s your own fault if you end paying more than you should but one thing I hate about flying with any airline is young kids and babies with modern patents believing that there kids should be allowed express themselves with no consideration to other passengers so I hope this move by Ryanair won’t turn there planes into crèches and if does I hope they make the back or front of the plane family sections so the rest of us can have some peace..
Poor you! Just remember, of you are this annoying at this stage of your life, think about how annoying you probably were when you were a baby! You’re not the most important person in the world therefore don’t bitch about people taking kids on holidays. They also deserve down time.
My problems not really with kids it’s with rubbish parents who think the kids can do what they want.. Not all parents but a lot of them..
Irishoversea-Because you were never a baby or even cried! Get over yourself you clown!
I’m guessing your one of the parents I’m on about who can’t control your kids..
I am a frequent flyer and I have no idea what you are talking about. Irish kids are probably the best behaved in the world and so are their parents. In case a baby screams the parents usually apologise to the people around even I think there is no need for it. What are they supposed to do: smother the infant?
Maybe Ryanair will offer a crèche facility in the hold of the plane, this will resolve all of our problems.
Yes Irish kids are best in the world it’s foreign kids I have problem with.. Coming to our country taking our plane seats making a load of noise..
Also babies crying I can get over it’s the kids who can be controlled or should be but are not. I don’t see why planes can’t have family sections that’s all..
There was a 2 year old behind me on the flight home today. She was talking singing shouting she had everyone in stitches. They re kids that’s what kids do.
Irishoverseas, foreign kids and their parents get up your nose? Why? I thought you are overseas? Shouldn’t you be used to it then?
Because as you pointed out yourself Irish kids are the best in the world and foreign kids compared to our angels are awful..
That would probably be preferable to be honest!
Don’t cry
I have been a regular customer of Ryanair for +10 years. Because of Ryanair I was able to afford almost monthly trips to visit my elderly parents. It’s down to them that I can be a peace with their loss knowing that I did all that I could and spent all the time I could with them while they were alive and needed me. I have heard the criticisms over the years but can honestly say I have never had a problem either with the airline or the staff. If you make youself aware of the rules and stick to them, all will be fine. In fact I regret the recent changes which have resulted in higher fares (everything has a price).
I have also flown Aer Lingus and can attest to the fact that they are as much a “budget – no frills airline” as Ryanair but this is rarely reflected in the fare.
If only Ryanair flew into Heathrow.
Be happy they don’t. It’s a hellhole. If you want world hub connections then go via Schipol – and avoid UK APD at the same time.
Sure bar you pay for Heathrow Express you’ll be in central London as quick from any airport.
In fairness, Gatwick is only a 45 minute train from St. Pancras International. Heathrow isn’t much closer!
Gatwick isn’t bad actually.
I wonder will they let me use the same microwave to heat the hot food they give me on board?
I agree with the commentors above regarding the low fuel issue. I watched the Channel 4 Despatches episode and was so disgusted with the sensational, biased reporting that I complained to Channel 4. Ryanair has an unmatched safety record. All airlines have emergency landing due to poor weather or other unforeseen circumstances. I find Michael O’Leary’s manner unnecessarily abrasive at times BUT I can’t fault his business acumen or his company
That still doesn’t do anything about the screaming baby problem..
have you tried a soother.
I think irishoversea might need one..
I think you needed condoms
Charm offensive…will it work?…time will tell…at least he’s trying not to insult us…:-)..
I hope they put all the kids together e.g a family/kid zone
Hope he does not decide to reduce the amount of fuel onboard to compensate, three emergency landings was enough.
Experience all three did you? You poor thing!
Out of however many landings they have ever performed, only 3 have made an emergency landing because of fuel. That has to be the best safety record in Europe! Look at EI or BA and see how many emergency landings they made because of low fuel in a holding pattern!
Flew with Ryanair to Murcia a number of years ago, when infants were still free. Asked for the connecting belt to attach my son to my belt. Was being stalled a bit, only to be informed that there wasn’t one on the flight, even though they knew that we were coming. Their blatant disregard for my sons safety means we will never fly with them as a family again. And now they’re child friendly? I’ll believe it when I see it.
but you wont see it if your not intending to fly with them again . ;-)
@Barry. My monacle just fell into my earl grey upon reading your comment, I am truly horrified.
I certainly don’t think it is very appropriate to fly with an airline that is so frivolous with fuel. I certainly think this issue has affected ryanair and is the reason for all these radical changes.
Rachel
Rachel,
do you honestly think that the IAA and other aviation regulators would let them fly with a dangerous low level of fuel?
I take it you work for Aer Lingus or one of their competitors.
Now, Now Brian, no need to be abrupt. I don’t work for an airline Brian. I would not consider emergency landings due to lack of fuel to be very safe and this has certainly been the case with ryanair.
Rachel
Rachel, silly silly Rachel, guess who diverted to Shannon a couple of weeks ago due to low on fuel and a hold at Dublin, your beloved Aer Lingus, it happens to all airlines, they dont have an endless supply of fuel, I guess if you actually read and understood the report you would see that the Ryanair planes had plenty of fuel on board and that numerous different airlines all had fuel emergencies at the same time due to weather and Spanish ATC. But dont let the facts get in the way of your ignorance
@ Rachel. That’s crap. If you knew your facts you would know what happened was due to reasons beyond crew control. FR have a fantastic safety record and do not take any risks with fuel or safety, plus aviation authorities would take a dim view if they did.
No need to be patronising Aaron.
Don’t fly with them then. Sure you love wasting all your loverly dosh on AL
Rachel, please investigate the facts which are available online (google) before posting nonsense please.
Then maybe people wont be so patronising towards you.
You know that was all down to desperate weather at the time, there is only so many times you can circle around avoiding thunderstorms before you run out of fuel! That same day a flight from Chile made an emergency landing due to an engine failure (thanks to a, yeah you guessed it, lack of fuel!). That delayed the aircraft holding above Madrid even more. Ryanair done everything right that day in taking on the legal amount of extra fuel incase of delays, the weather, poor Spanish ATC & the LAN AIrlines emergency were hardly Ryanairs fault!
Can’t Fault Ryanair, Recent trip to Almeria, was flawless, comfortable, staff very pleasant, no complaints whatsoever.
One suggestion, as a promotional exercise, Ryanair should record remarks from regular Ryanair users to get the truth behind this airline, I bet all the begrudgers will be Surprised!
Guess we’ll have to find something else to get riled up about now that Ryanair are off the list. Don’t think it will be too hard…..
Wizz air.
I assume they’ll heat the bottle for free, but if there’s anything in the bottle, there will be a substatial handling charge per ml etc?
i read they will also allow cots to be stored in overhead bins thats means there will be less storage for the person who just brings on their case….so the passenger will have to put case in the hold so more money and baby changing facility read toilet or the tray that drops down for ur cuppa
where did you hear that ?
They allow for 90 pieces of carry on luggage, and any overflow is checked at the gate free of charge. So your point is invalid
Indeed Stephen Furlong… How interesting of you to declare there’s a subset of consumers who avoid Ryanair ‘for no reason’
“Anyone who thinks Ryanair flights are some sort of bastion of sanctity where you can contemplate your navel is wrong. We already bombard you with as many in-flight announcements and trolleys as we can. Anyone who looks like they’re sleeping, we wake them up to sell them things.” Micheal O’Leary
I can see myself running right out to hand money over to what must truly be an incompetent stockbroker encouraging investment in an airline industry and market he knows ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about.
So children who used to fly free will now fly at a reduced adults’ fee. Heat bottles but at what cost ? I have never had reason to think of Ryanair in a good light. This window dressing makes me even more suspect.
How about reducing the charge for needing to get your boarding pass printed at their desk ?
I used to fly Ryanair but got fed up of the many many extra charges and also of their ill chosen airports at which they land.
As for kids on board. Children free flights would be great. I love kids but a screaming child in an enclosed space is not my idea of enjoying a flight. Some kids scream so let them all have their own flights with their parents.
I bet the insulted current child brigade will take umbrage at that.
Someone has no idea of how to play the ‘Ryanair game’
Well done Michael O Leary!
Another free publicity stunt!
You are a genius!
Stop it now…it isn’t funny any more….Ryan-air …nice and cuddly …….I must have fallen through the magic mirror.
Ryanair have a new problem. People not seating in the right seats. Two of my last three flights, someone has been sitting in my seat.
I don’t make an issue of it, go to the middle of the plane tell the flight attendant and ask to seat at the emergency exit if it’s free, more leg room.
But seriously is it that people don’t know and being stupid that it allocated seating now. I
Took like 3.35 Ryanair flight from Manchester to Dublin today. Been doing so for the last year and number of times a year and today was the first time it was packed. Normally it’s under half empty. Yes lots of holidays. But a huge swing from nearly empty to packed full.
Pity the fees for allocated seating were not discounted before now, we paid €140 for our flights both ways just to make sure out young children were seated beside us, ridiculous.
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