DUBLIN, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Irish troops will not begin their deployment to Chad as part of a delayed European Union peacekeeping mission until next week at the earliest, Ireland's Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea said on Tuesday.

"Provided that the situation continues to stabilise, the deployment of our troops is expected to take place within 8 to 10 days," O'Dea said in a statement.

Up to 3,700 European Union peacekeepers are due to travel to Chad's turbulent east to protect hundreds of thousands of refugees from violence spilling over from Sudan's Darfur region.

"However, this is contingent upon the prevailing operational circumstances and the availability of the airport," the minister said.

A two-day battle for N'Djamena ended late on Sunday after rebels withdrew from the Chadian capital.

The attack had delayed the departure of the EU mission which is led by Irish Major General Pat Nash.

"Ireland remains fully committed to this mission," said O'Dea.

"The urgent necessity to provide security and protection to the camps housing 400,000 refugees and displaced persons affected by the situation in Darfur remains." (Reporting by Paul Hoskins, Editing by Matthew Jones)

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