Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he raised the slaughter of innocent civilians in Afghanistan with the US authorities during his St. Patrick's day visit. [13277/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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US military actions in Afghanistan were not discussed during the meetings which the Taoiseach and I had with President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton in Washington last week. Discussion of Afghanistan focussed on food security and police training, where Ireland is prepared to make a direct contribution. In addition, both the President and the Secretary of State thanked Ireland for the contribution of the seven Defence Force personnel who carry out non-combat Headquarters duties with the UN-mandated ISAF force.

Over the decades, invasions and civil war have exacted a very heavy toll on the lives of innocent Afghan civilians. Before and after the Taliban came to power in 1996, they and their associates were the primary perpetrators of killings and crimes against Afghan civilians. However, in the nine years since the beginning of ISAF's operations in Afghanistan in 2001, the high numbers of Afghan civilians being killed by international troops reflected a failure on the part of ISAF to prioritise adequately the protection of ordinary Afghans. This failure helped to fuel radical sentiment within Afghanistan. Fortunately, the international military forces have recently been taking steps to ensure enhanced protection of Afghani civilians.

The new ISAF and US strategy includes a range of measures to consult, involve, protect and support the local communities where military operations are taking place. Greater priority is being accorded in current military operations in Afghanistan to the protection of civilian lives and the ending of inadvertent killings by the international forces. However, I deeply regret each and every civilian casualty, and wish to see every effort made to avoid death and suffering among the civilian population in Afghanistan.