Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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10. To ask the Minister for Defence when Irish Defence Forces personnel currently participating in ISAF will be withdrawn from Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43271/14]

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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The Afghanistan war was probably the most senseless and useless one we can recall. It has gone on for twice as long as the Second World War. There really is not much merit in Irish troops being there and they probably should never have been sent there in the first place. US and British troops are leaving Afghanistan with their tails between their legs. How soon will the Irish troops leave Afghanistan?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am not sure I agree with the Deputy's assessment. Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, in Afghanistan since 5 July 2002. Seven members of the Permanent Defence Force are currently serving in the mission headquarters. The ISAF mission is due to conclude on 31 December 2014 when Afghani National Security Forces will take over full responsibility for security within Afghanistan. NATO will lead a follow on training and support operation called resolute support mission with effect from 1 January 2015.

Defence force participation in all overseas missions is reviewed on an ongoing basis. The overall drawdown of ISAF personnel is currently under way and the withdrawal of the Defence Force personnel will be co-ordinated in this context. Irish personnel will complete their service with the ISAF mission in December 2014, which is when the ISAF mission ends.

The proposed NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, post 2014, will be a follow-on training advisory and assistance mission in support of the Afghan National Security Forces capacity building. The question of Ireland's contributing to the follow-on mission in Afghanistan is being considered in the context of what other contributing countries are planning. Any participation by Ireland in the follow-on training mission will be subject to Government approval.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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The Irish troops were involved in advising NATO personnel on bomb disposal. If the Government leaves the troops there for the next phase they will advise Afghani state troops, which will be a very dangerous exercise. It would be like an outsider coming to Ireland during the Civil War and giving Michael Collins’ men advice on bombs. It is just looking for trouble.

The Minister questioned my analysis of the war. The war started as an effort to destroy Al Qaida, which has mushroomed since. It went on to become a campaign for democracy and women’s rights. Women’s rights have gone backwards since then. It became a war to protect Western cities, and it has done the opposite. It became a war to eradicate opium production but that is at a record high with the production and supply of 90% of the world trade. Any action on the part of Western powers in Afghanistan has been a disaster.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am not saying the war in Afghanistan was a success.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Is the Minister saying it is a disaster?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am saying that I do not agree with the Deputy’s full assessment of it. There have been and continue to be huge challenges in Afghanistan. Ireland’s view has always been that we would make a limited contribution to sharing an expertise that we have from a training perspective. Our people are in headquarters there, and are not involved on the front line. It is not akin to joining a civil war.

If we make decisions in the future it will be on the back of a request and a consideration of that request as to whether Ireland can contribute to stability and peace-building in Afghanistan following a very difficult, traumatic and tragic war there, about which I fully agree with the views expressed by the Deputy. That will be the consideration. We are not considering front-line troops. We are considering potentially making a contribution to building capacity within the Afghani security forces so that they can run their country.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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The Irish personnel who get involved in these missions are very well trained and highly qualified. We have nothing but peace to work towards when we get involved but the people we often get involved with do not. Peace is not the objective of the Western powers in this or the Middle East region. If it was, things would be happening differently. President Obama in his term of office has bombed seven Muslim countries-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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This is Question Time. Would the Deputy put a supplementary question?

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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When will the Minister make the decision on the Irish troops? Would he reconsider this because any involvement on the part of Irish troops with Afghanistan does nothing for our self-esteem?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy seems to suggest that Ireland should have nothing to do with Afghanistan and abandon the new government which faces challenges. I am saying that we are considering requests for assistance, given all the complexity of Afghanistan and the nation-building programme that needs to proceed there now.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Nation-destroying.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Yes because the nation has been destroyed.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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The Western powers have destroyed it.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I listened to the Deputy’s statements, by and large, and am trying to respond to them.

I will bring a recommendation to Government for approval and we will be totally open about it. That decision has not yet been finalised but it will need to happen shortly if we are to make even a limited contribution on the follow-on mission to ISAF. We are considering that in some detail at the moment and decisions will be made in due course.