Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 February 2013
17. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the Irish presence in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan; the nature of the duties being undertaken by the Defence Forces personnel there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6212/13]
View answer34. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the participation of Irish Defence Forces personnel in the NATO-led UN mandated operation in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6084/13]
View answer147. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the Defence Forces presence in Afghanistan; the nature of the duties being undertaken by the personnel there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6411/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 34 and 147 together.
On 20 December 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1386 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, authorising the establishment of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. On 9 October 2012, the UN Security Council extended ISAF’s mandate for a further year until October 2013.Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated mission in Afghanistan since 5 July 2002, following the Government Decision of 2 July 2002, authorising the provision of seven (7) members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the force. The continued participation by seven (7) members of the Permanent Defence Force in ISAF is reviewed annually by the Government. The most recent decision by the Government was on 26 June 2012, when it agreed to continue to provide seven members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with ISAF for a further period from July 2012, subject to ongoing review by the Minister for Defence. Planning for the drawdown of ISAF generally is currently ongoing and the withdrawal of the Defence Forces personnel from the mission will be coordinated within the context of the overall ISAF drawdown plan.
The seven Defence Forces personnel currently participating in the ISAF are all located in ISAF HQ, Kabul and work in staff appointments in planning and administrative roles. I am satisfied that the work carried out by these personnel, particularly by those in the Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) cell, represents an important contribution to this UN mandated mission.
