Dáil debates

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

1:00 pm

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 6: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will define the role of the Irish forces serving in Afghanistan. [6906/12]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Defence Forces are primarily deployed on overseas missions in support of international peace and security under UN mandates. 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. Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated mission since 5 July 2002, following the Government Decision of 2 July 2002, authorising the provision of seven members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the force.

With the increasing use of more robust Chapter VII missions, the UN has turned to regional organisations such as the European Union, the African Union and NATO, to launch and manage operations on its behalf and under its authority.

Since 2002, the Government has reviewed and approved, on an annual basis, the continued participation by seven members of the Permanent Defence Force in ISAF. On 28 June 2011, the Government agreed to continue to provide seven members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with ISAF for a further period from July 2011, subject to ongoing review by the Minister for Defence. The seven Defence Forces personnel work in staff appointments in planning and administrative roles based in ISAF headquarters in Kabul.

Throughout the years, Ireland has and continues to contribute highly qualified Defence Forces personnel to UN mandated missions in small numbers or for short duration. This is a tangible and visible expression of Ireland's continued support for organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union. Examples of such contributions include the Defence Forces' contribution to the United Nations stabilisation mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO, the United Nations mission in Ivory Coast, UNOCI, and EUTM Somalia with three, two and seven personnel respectively in those missions.

The seven Defence Forces personnel currently participating in 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.

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister says the participation of Irish troops in Afghanistan is subject to ongoing review. In light of the fact that France is withdrawing its forces and the United States has also announced that it will retreat from Afghanistan, will the Minister reconsider the participation of the seven personnel from Ireland in that mission?

The Minister mentioned the ISAF which was established under a UN mandate but which, in recent years, has been led by NATO, and now operates under the guise of the US with some of its EU supporters. The Department objected to a reference in my question to Afghanistan as occupied Afghanistan. Given that the country has had almost 100,000 US troops on its soil for almost ten years, what other word would the Minister think is appropriate in this context?

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I know the Deputy has a paranoia about the United States. I remind the Deputy that when this mission commenced the Taliban were in control in Afghanistan and women were not allowed to participate in education, were stoned for alleged misconduct and were not allowed to be seen in public without their faces being covered and wearing the hijab. Following the murderous atrocity of 11 September the United States took particular action in relation to Afghanistan.

Our participation in ISAF is based on a United Nations mandate. We continually review what is taking place there and at appropriate moments decisions will be made with regard to the seven members of the Defence Forces who are there. They are serving an important function which shows this country's willingness to participate under UN mandated missions and to make a contribution on issues of global concern. I do not believe our participation in this has been anything other than a valuable contribution to a peace mission in a very troubled area of the world.

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I assure the Minister that I am not paranoid about anything. I am aware that the conditions for women and most ordinary Afghani people are deplorable now, as they were when the Taliban ruled the roost. The US appointed regime has also been shown to have let down ordinary people.

Will the Minister comment on the fact that the, so called, peace-keeping role of the ISAF has been shown to be fraudulent? The international police training role, in which Irish police participate, has not been a success. It has cost $29 billion since the Taliban were defeated in 2001 and yet that country remains a total mess. The force has been found to be routinely torturing prisoners and to be corrupt. How can the Minister approve the participation of Irish forces in such a force?

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have outlined for the Deputy the deployment of seven members of the Defence Forces and the work they do. That work has been an important contribution in a very difficult area.

It would be interesting, for once, to hear the Deputy explain how she would solve the problems of a very difficult and fraught country such as Afghanistan. I do not have the solutions for the difficulties in that region. We must play our role on the international stage in participating in peacekeeping missions that are UN mandated. It is unfortunate that the Deputy does not recognise the valuable role played by our Defence Forces in this area. The Deputy seems to yearn for a period when the Taliban were in control of that country.

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A certain re-writing of history there.

Photo of Jonathan O'BrienJonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Do the seven Permanent Defence Force personnel serve six monthly or 12 monthly rotations? If a decision were made to withdraw those troops, would a period have to pass before they could be physically withdrawn?

3:00 pm

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

If the troops were to withdraw we would consult with and advise the other countries engaged in the mission. No decision has been made for their withdrawal. We are aware of plans of other countries for dealing with matters and for what may happen in Afghanistan. This issue is under constant review.

The Defence Forces personnel serving in Afghanistan are rotated on a six monthly basis.