Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Defence the reasons for seven Irish citizens being assigned to Afghanistan; the number who are military personnel; the duties to which each person is assigned; his views on withdrawing the Irish personnel from Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10074/10]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Defence if members of the Defence Forces have served in Afghanistan in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10375/10]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 389 together.

On 20 December 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1386 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, authorising the establishment of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated mission since 5 July 2002, following the Government Decision of 2 July 2002, authorising the provision of seven (7) members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the force. Since 2002, the Government has reviewed and approved, on an annual basis, the continued participation by seven (7) members of the Permanent Defence Force in ISAF.

The seven Irish personnel currently participating in ISAF, comprising 4 Officers and 3 Non-Commissioned Officers, are located in the two ISAF Headquarters in Kabul. The Irish personnel work in staff appointments in planning and administrative roles. Irish personnel are rotated every 6 months.