Vol. 558 No. 4
166 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Defence the complete command structure the seven members of the Irish Defence Forces currently serving in Afghanistan report to after they report to the Turkish Major General commanding ISAF. [24398/02]
On 2 July 2002, the Government authorised the despatch of seven members of the Permanent Defence Force for service, for a period of one year, with the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, in Afghanistan, which was established under UN Security Resolution 1386, 2001, to assist in the maintenance of security in Kabul and the surrounding areas.
The seven Irish personnel, who are deployed in ISAF HQ in Kabul, report to the Commander of ISAF, COMISAF. The position of COMISAF is currently held by a Turkish Major General as Turkey holds lead nation status in ISAF since June 2002. The command arrangements in place in such circumstances provide that the COMISAF reports to the UN Security Council through the lead nations' military authorities.
