Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Do I detect frustration? Yes. This has been discussed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting on many occasions and there is frustration at how governance has evolved in Afghanistan. The view of my colleagues is that there is a pressing need for enhanced governance capacity not just at the centre, but throughout the provinces and the country. Regional governance is as critical to progress as an effective national government. Many of the weaknesses in the inputs to date have related to that issue and to corruption, a problem that must be eradicated if the policies the international community are pursuing are to be given a fair wind.

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