Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 21 together.

Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated mission in Afghanistan since 5 July 2002. On 25 June last, the Government agreed to continue to provide seven members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the International Security Assistance Force for a further period from July 2013, subject to ongoing review by the Minister for Defence. On 20 December 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1386 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, authorising the establishment of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The UN mandate for this mission was most recently renewed on 9 October 2012 and will fall to be renewed again in October this year. The International Security Assistance Force has a current strength of approximately 97,920 personnel drawn from 47 countries. In March 2011, the transition process whereby the Afghan security forces would gradually take on more security responsibility from the International Security Assistance Force was launched. As of 18 June 2013, the final phase of the transition was instigated. At present, 23 of the 34 Afghan provinces are fully in transition. This process is due to be completed at the end of 2014, when the International Security Assistance Force mission will end. NATO will then lead a follow-on mission to continue to support the development of Afghan national security capacity. No date for the withdrawal of Irish personnel has been fixed at this stage. Planning for the drawdown of the International Security Assistance Force generally is ongoing. The withdrawal of the Defence Forces personnel will be co-ordinated within the context of the International Security Assistance Force drawdown plan. I expect a phased drawdown of the International Security Assistance Force headquarters, with Defence Forces personnel being withdrawn as the headquarters downsizes.

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