Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Defence if members of the Defence Forces operating in Afghanistan have had involvement with the operators of a detention site at Bagram holding some 500 so-called terror suspects in primitive conditions, indefinitely and without charges. [17161/06]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces personnel holding appointments at the International Security Assistance Force Headquarters in Kabul have had dealings with the operators of a detention site at Bagram holding some 500 so-called terror suspects in primitive conditions, indefinitely and without charges. [17163/06]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Defence if the International Security Assistance Force operating in Afghanistan has dealings with the operators of a detention site at Bagram holding some 500 so-called terror suspects in primitive conditions, indefinitely and without charges. [17162/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces personnel based at the Multinational Brigade Headquarters in Kabul and serving as members of a liaison team with the Afghan National Directorate of Security have had dealings with the operators of a detention site at Bagram holding some 500 so-called terror suspects in primitive conditions, indefinitely and without charges. [17164/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 85, 92 and 130 together.

Ireland has participated in the UN authorised International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan since 5 July, 2002, following Government approval on 2 July, 2002, authorising the provision of seven members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with this force.

ISAF was established under the authority of UN Security Council Resolution 1386 of 20 December, 2001 to assist the Interim Afghanistan Authority in the maintenance of security in Kabul and the surrounding areas. The UN authorisation of ISAF has been extended, by the UN Security Council since then. NATO assumed the lead in ISAF on 11 August, 2003.

The detention centre at Bagram is not part of the ISAF operation. The detention centre, which is situated at the Bagram Air Base north of Kabul, is part of the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Operation Enduring Freedom is the US-led anti-terrorist operation whose role includes, the destruction of terrorist training camps and infrastructure within Afghanistan, the capture of al Qaeda leaders, and the elimination of terrorist activities in Afghanistan. ISAF has no role in this regard. Defence Forces personnel serving with ISAF have not had any dealings with the detention centre in Bagram, or its staff.