Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position as it pertains in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34198/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. As was the case when I last addressed this issue in the House on 1 May, there are very clear difficulties regarding security, human rights, governance and rule of law issues, and the production of narcotics.

The security situation remains a particular cause for concern. In his most recent report on Afghanistan entitled "The Situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security", released on 23 September, the UN Secretary General concludes that it has deteriorated markedly over the last six months. The influence of the insurgency has expanded beyond the traditionally volatile areas and has increased in provinces neighbouring Kabul. Incidents stemming from cross-border activities from Pakistan have increased significantly. Another worrying development is that attacks on aid-related targets and NGOs have become more frequent and more deadly. Tragically, the tactics of the insurgency, as well as military operations, have caused the number of civilian casualties to rise sharply.

On 22 September, the UN Security Council unanimously extended the mission of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan for another year and called for it to be strengthened in the face of increased violence and terrorism from the Taliban, Al-Qaida and drug smugglers. It urged ISAF and other partners to continue training Afghan national security forces towards the goal of setting up self-sufficient and ethnically balanced national forces to provide security and the rule of law.

The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has also deteriorated, in part due to the on-going conflict. The most pressing humanitarian problem is that drought and high global food prices have created food shortages affecting one sixth of the country's population.

The Secretary General has, however, also identified recent positive developments. The Paris Conference on 12 June launched the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS) which, together with the Paris Declaration, establishes a road-map for future efforts by the Government of Afghanistan and the international community to provide for the security and prosperity of the Afghan people. In addition to seeking international endorsement of the ANDS, the key aim of the Conference was to redefine the programme of support for Afghanistan and to encourage increased Afghan ownership of the reconstruction process. A total of $21 billion was pledged by donors. Ireland pledged €9 million for relief, reconstruction and development in Afghanistan over the two-year period 2008-9.

The mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) was renewed in March.

A new EU Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mr. Ettore Francesco Sequi, took up duty on 1 September and will take forward the implementation of EU policy in Afghanistan. I wish him every success in his new appointment.

For its part, Ireland has allocated over €15 million in relief, recovery and development assistance to Afghanistan since 2005. In addition, seven members of the Irish Defence Forces are serving in non-combat roles with ISAF in Kabul.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent expulsion from Bolivia of the US Ambassador; the reason in his view for which this has occurred; and the status of Bolivian-Irish diplomatic relations. [34180/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland established diplomatic relations with Bolivia in 1999. Ireland is accredited to Bolivia on a non-resident basis through our Embassy in Buenos Aires, while Bolivia is accredited to Ireland on a non-resident basis through their Embassy in London.

In relation to the recent expulsion from Bolivia of the US Ambassador to that country, and the subsequent reciprocal expulsion of the Bolivian Ambassador to the US, this is a bilateral matter between the two countries in question. It is clearly related to the ongoing political crisis in Bolivia, which I hope can be resolved through peaceful and constitutional means.