Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the security situation in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13011/06]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in Afghanistan with regard to security and reconstruction of the state; if Ireland is funding efforts with regard to reconstruction in that state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13030/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give an updated report on the situation in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13455/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 122 and 289 together.

It is important to recognise that Afghanistan's transition to democracy and representative government over the past four years is a considerable achievement. Afghanistan now has a democratic constitution, a representative national Parliament and a legitimate elected Government. Efforts are ongoing to consolidate the progress that has been made and reforms are currently under way across all sectors to provide security and essential public services to the Afghan population.

Progress continues to be made in institution-building. Parliamentary committees have been formed and have begun their important oversight work. On 22 March, President Karzai nominated a new cabinet and the Parliament will vote shortly to confirm the ministerial appointments. Parliamentary approval will also be required to confirm President Karzai's nominations to the new Supreme Court.

The security situation, however, remains a cause of serious concern and continues to undermine reconstruction efforts outside the cities. The conflict is complex and is influenced not just by Taliban insurgency but also by a number of other factors including ethnic and tribal tensions, narcotics and crime.

The International Conference on Afghanistan, held in London on 31 January-1 February marked a new stage in Afghanistan's development. The Afghanistan compact, launched at the conference, will guide the joint efforts of the Afghan Government and the international community in meeting outstanding challenges across three pillars of activity: security; governance, rule of law and human rights, and economic and social development. Counter-narcotics has been identified as a cross-cutting priority. The compact notes that Afghanistan's transition to peace and stability is not yet assured and that strong international engagement will be required to address remaining challenges. In the spirit of that engagement, over €8 billion was pledged to Afghanistan by the international community at the conference.

I am pleased that Ireland was in a position to announce a €5 million pledge at the launch of the compact. This latest pledge reflects Ireland's continuing commitment to supporting the reconstruction and reform process in Afghanistan. Funding will be expended over the next two years through the World Bank-administered Afghanistan reconstruction trust fund, ARTF, in support of the Afghan national development strategy and the achievement of Afghanistan's millennium development goals. We will also continue to support the efforts of United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations towards pro-poor sustainable development in Afghanistan.

Ireland donated €17 million at previous pledging conferences in Tokyo and Berlin in 2002 and 2004 respectively. Funding was expended via the ARTF and through a range of Irish and international non-governmental organisations, including Trócaire, Concern, GOAL, Christian Aid, Halo Trust and Handicap International. Ireland also supported the electoral process through the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, election support programme, which steered the successful presidential election in 2004 and National Assembly and Provincial Council Elections in 2005.