Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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76. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the role of Irish troops in Afghanistan. [21534/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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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, ISAF, in Afghanistan. On 9 October 2012, the UN Security Council extended ISAF’s mandate for a further year until October 2013.

Ireland has participated in the NATO–led, UN-mandated mission in Afghanistan 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. The continued participation by seven members of the Permanent Defence Force in ISAF is reviewed annually by the Government.

The most recent decision by the Government was taken on 26 June 2012 when it agreed to continue to provide seven members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the ISAF for a further period from July 2012, subject to ongoing review by the Minister for Defence. The seven Defence Forces personnel participating in the ISAF are all located in ISAF HQ in Kabul and work in planning and administrative roles. The work being carried out by Defence Forces personnel, particularly by those involved in the counter improvised explosive device, C-IED, cell, represents an important contribution to this UN-mandated mission. Planning for the drawdown in respect of the ISAF generally is ongoing and the withdrawal of the Defence Forces personnel from the mission will be co-ordinated within the context of the overall ISAF drawdown plan.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for his response, but I wish to raise broader issues and ask him about the role of Irish troops in Afghanistan. Does he accept that many people have concerns about their role in this very complex conflict? Is he aware that these concerns arise because, as he mentioned, these are NATO-led forces. Many respect the Irish Defence Forces for their role in peacekeeping around the world.

Another issue which arose in a previous question concerns whether the Minister is also aware of the fact that there are significant civilian casualties every day in Afghanistan. Three weeks ago ten young children were massacred in a drone attack by NATO-led forces and there was no reaction from any government, the European Union and the western media regarding these young people who were blown to bits. I notice that the figures for the past three years show the loss in the region of 600 innocent people.

Does the Minister share my deep concern that in such a situation Irish troops could find themselves being drawn in and that we might lose the respect we have built as an international peacekeeper in the past 40 or 50 years?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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We have lost no respect as an international peacekeeper.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I said we might lose respect.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As I meet colleagues inside and outside the European Union as Minister for Defence, I find there is enormous respect for the role played by this country. There is enormous respect for the reality, as well as for the perception that we have no agenda of any description, other than trying to assist in bringing about peace and stability in various troubled regions of the world. That is what our seven members are doing as part of the ISAF. They have engaged in administrative work during the years and made a very important contribution.

One area in which I would expect the Deputy to have some sympathy is the training of individuals to neutralise improvised explosive devices. I presume the Deputy thinks improvised explosive devices are bad and that it is a very good idea to stop them blowing up and killing people. I have no differences with the him regarding concerns he may express about people being killed in military accidents. None of us can justify that type of event. Unfortunately, awful tragedies happen in war zones. However, I am always interested in the Deputy's selective condemnation. There is no mention of innocents being blown apart in Taliban bombings. There is no reference to the extent to which women are borne down on by the Taliban and treated as second-class citizens. There is no reference to women being shot for having the impudence in their teenage years to want to be educated. There is no reference to all of these issues. Afghanistan is a difficult and complex country and this has been a difficult and complex conflict. The UN forces are engaged in a process of withdrawal. Ultimately, I expect some forces to remain as an aid to the civil government.

The Deputy is stuck in something of a time warp. He thinks the Soviet Union still exists and that the Cold War is continuing. The main role of NATO, apart from dealing with European-Atlantic security issues, is as a regional body working in co-ordination with the United Nations in peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions.

This State has been part of NATO's Partnership for Peace for very many years. I can tell the Deputy that there is no public concern, beyond the concern in his head, and the heads of a small number of people who are still locked into Cold War politics about this State being part of NATO Partnership for Peace, together with all of the other neutrals in the European Union and being able to participate in an organised way in peacekeeping missions in different parts of the world.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I wish to make three brief points. I do not know on what planet the Minister lives but in my introductory speech I spoke about all the civilians who died in Afghanistan. We should not be selective. I am not selective but the Minister's silence on the other issues shows that he is very selective. He was particularly silent over the past couple of weeks, along with the Government and NATO people, about those innocent children being killed in the drone attacks. I did not hear him. He is particularly silent when young Palestinians are being killed every day but that is another issue. To return to the core issue, he said that Irish troops are respected because they have no political agenda. I agree with that part but my problem is that the Minister and the Government and other people in this State are trying to change that agenda. They want to destroy our independence as a peacekeeping force which is respected internationally. He is trying to change the agenda; he is bringing in the NATO agenda. That is what I will fight against. As a Member of the Oireachtas I will defend and protect the Constitution and the citizens of the State. A lot of people subscribe to this view and a lot of voices agree with me.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I have absolutely no idea why the Deputy is shouting and getting so exercised nor can I figure what relevance his rather unnecessary and odd reference to Palestinian children has to this issue, unless the Deputy has something else going through his mind. Let me inform the Deputy that in the context of that issue, I have been a great deal more engaged than he. I have been engaged in talking to some of the leading negotiators on the Palestinian side. I suspect I have visited the West Bank and Gaza many more times than the Deputy has ever done. I advise the Deputy to be careful of the level of prejudice he may display in this House-----

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I have no prejudice. That is an outrageous remark. I will raise the issues of any oppressed peoples anywhere in the world and I have done it many times-----

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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It is not a coincidence that in the context of the question about Afghanistan he diverted to other issues.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I have raised these issues because it is part of my brief. The Minister should wise up.