Ms Jane-Ann McKenna:

In response to the first question, and I can share further details with the committee, Dóchas has worldview research projects and monitors Irish attitudes towards ODA. There is strong support and three in every four people believe an important and vital part of Ireland's foreign policy is our contribution to ODA and its budget. Similar research is done in the US and results from a study completed in the last couple of months show that people within the US are getting more concerned about global poverty. I can share some of that research with the committee. It will be interesting to see what happens in the US because I think that there will be a shift in mindset and opinions may vary.

On Afghanistan, I might hand over to Mr. Crowley.