Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a Guantanamo Bay-like detention site at Bagram in Afghanistan where prisoners are being held in primitive conditions, indefinitely and without charge in contravention of international law as part of the United States led Operation Enduring Freedom; if he has raised objections with the US Administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19648/06]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Afghanistan. [19647/06]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the political and security situation in Afghanistan; the travel advice issued by his Department for Irish citizens in that country or intending to travel to that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19530/06]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the state of Afghanistan; his further views on whether the Taliban has re-emerged as a force in many areas of the country; if he is satisfied regarding the rate of progress in relation to human rights reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19740/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 112, 115 and 140 together.

It is important to recognise that in any country, developing the democratic structures, institutions and administrative systems necessary to provide essential public services and ensure a secure environment for all is a process that takes time. Although Afghanistan still faces considerable challenges, the significant progress that has been achieved there over the past four years should be acknowledged. A democratic Constitution, a representative national Parliament and a legitimate elected Government are all now in place. Efforts are ongoing to consolidate the progress that has been made and reforms are underway, with the assistance of the international community, across all sectors, including the police service, the Afghan National Army and the judicial system.

As I informed the Dáil on 4 April in response to questions, the security situation 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. Taliban insurgents are still active in parts of the southern and eastern regions.

On 16 November 2005, the EU and Afghanistan issued a Joint Declaration. The Declaration reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Afghanistan to safeguarding freedoms under the Constitution, to developing a pluralistic and democratic society, and ensuring respect for human rights. The Declaration further states that the Afghan Government supports the recommendations of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and shall implement a process of transitional justice to address human rights violations of the past. The EU shares these objectives and shall continue to provide assistance to seek to ensure progress in this area. Improvements in the human rights situation have undoubtedly been made in Afghanistan since 2001 although clearly the situation is still far from ideal.

An Afghanistan Compact was launched at the International Conference on Afghanistan in London on 31 January/1 February and was endorsed by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 1659 (2006) on 15 February. The Compact 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. 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.

I am pleased that Ireland was in a position to pledge €5 million at the launch of the Compact. This new pledge, which will be expended over the next two years, reflects Ireland's continuing commitment to supporting the reconstruction and reform process underway in Afghanistan. Including this new pledge, Ireland has contributed a total of €22 million to reconstruction and recovery programmes in Afghanistan since January 2002.

The Department of Foreign Affairs provides travel advice to Irish people planning a trip overseas. This is available at http://foreignaffairs. gov.ie/services/traveladvice/ and, in the case of Afghanistan, inter alia, advises Irish citizens against all non-essential travel to Kabul and against all travel to other parts of Afghanistan.

Ireland holds the view that those detained at the Bagram detention centre must be treated in accordance with the requirements of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. I have not had any recent discussions with the U.S. administration specifically regarding the situation in Afghanistan, but our approach to human rights issues is extremely well known, including to the US Authorities.