Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the situation in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17067/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I remain deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. There are very clear concerns regarding security, human rights, governance and rule of law issues, as well as narcotics.

The security situation remains a continuous cause of concern. While the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has enjoyed significant military successes over the past number of months, insurgency-related violence continues at a high level, particularly against the Afghan police. There are strong indications that suicide attacks and improvised explosive devices will remain the insurgency's main weapon against Afghan and international security forces. Last weekend's attack on President Karzai, which fortunately he survived, was further evidence of the fragility of the situation.

A decision on the timing of elections was announced on 9 April. The Presidential election will take place in autumn 2009 and parliamentary elections will be held in the summer of 2010. The elections and the preceding voter registration will be enormous logistical tasks and will require immediate consideration by the Afghan government and its partners.

We can see in many parts of Afghanistan the benefits that peace, the rule of law and stable government can bring, with economic growth, lower mortality rates and greater participation in formal schooling, especially among girls. The goal for the international community, in cooperation with the Afghan government, remains to extend stable and legitimate government and the rule of law to all parts of the country.

Better coordination and cooperation in the international community's assistance to Afghanistan is vital, and has been the key focus of recent reviews of policy by the UN, NATO and the EU. I very much welcome the recent appointment of the Mr Kai Eide, as Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Afghanistan. The UN continues to play the lead coordinating role in Afghanistan. The renewal and strengthening of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) by the UN Security Council last month should strengthen its ability to lead international civilian efforts to provide political outreach, support reconciliation programmes and strengthen cooperation with ISAF. It also calls for additional efforts on rule of law, corruption, narcotics, human rights and economic development.

At the NATO Summit in Bucharest on 3 April 2008, the ISAF troop-contributing nations, including Ireland, reconfirmed their long-term commitment to Afghanistan and supported the need for an enhanced UN role in coordinating civil and military efforts by the international community.

International coordination efforts will also be a key issue for the planned international donor conference on Afghanistan to be held in Paris in June. The conference will focus on strengthening Government institutions, including by securing further pledges of support.

The EU remains fully engaged in Afghanistan. Afghanistan was discussed at the March European Council following the adoption of Conclusions on Afghanistan at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 10 March. These Conclusions reaffirmed the EU's commitment to long-term support for Afghanistan. The Conclusions also welcomed the progress of the EU Police Mission in Afghanistan, which is currently deploying to the regions. Afghanistan will again be on the agenda of the General Affairs and External Relations Council this month.

Ireland has provided over €14 million in relief, recovery and development assistance to Afghanistan since 2005. In addition, seven members of the Permanent Defence Forces serve with ISAF in Kabul.