Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2015
504. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide, in detail, the activities of personnel of the Defence Forces during their latest mission in Afghanistan; and his views on whether this justifies their continued presence there. [21539/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 9 December 2014, the Government approved the participation of seven members of the Defence Forces in the new NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, which commenced on 1 January 2015, following the withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission from Afghanistan.
Resolute Support Mission is a non-combat training and advisory mission. It is designed to support and develop the capacity of the Afghan National Defence Forces to ensure the security of the Afghan population and its national Governmental institutions following the withdrawal of the ISAF mission.
The United Nations Security Council welcomed the Resolute Support Mission with the unanimous adoption on 12 December 2014 of Resolution 2189. This Resolution underscores the importance of continued international support for the stability of Afghanistan.
Seven (7) Defence Forces personnel are deployed to the mission and are based in the mission headquarters in Kabul. These personnel are employed in training and advisory roles in Operations, Training and Support appointments. The work being carried out by the Defence Forces personnel represents an important contribution to this mission.
The Defence Forces continue to monitor the security situation in Afghanistan and Irish participation with the Resolute Support mission is subject to ongoing review. Any decision in relation to continued participation in the mission beyond December 2015 will be taken in the context of the situation pertaining at the time and will be subject to Government approval.
