Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that Ireland's foreign policy principles in relation to neutrality are not affected by the presence of Irish military personnel in Afghanistan. [20949/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality is not affected by our participation in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Ireland's approach to international security is characterised, inter alia, by our willingness to participate in peace operations throughout the world and a commitment to collective security through the United Nations, in particular.

Since 2001, ISAF has been deployed under the authority of the UN Security Council – which authorised the establishment of a force in the maintenance of security to enable the Afghan authorities as well as UN personnel to operate in a secure environment. ISAF has a peace enforcement mandate under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, and there are twelve UN Security Council Resolutions relating to ISAF, most recently UNSCR 1917 (2010).

The Deputy may wish, in particular, to note UN Security Council Resolution 1890 from 8 October last, which expressed appreciation for the contributions made by Member States to ISAF and continued to call upon Member States to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources to the mission stressing the role of ISAF in assisting the Afghan Government to improve the security situation in Afghanistan.

Seven members of the Permanent Defence Forces are serving with ISAF in Kabul in non-combatant roles with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Their deployment fully accords with both Irish and international law and in no way impacts upon Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. The service of the Defence Forces with ISAF represents a further example of Ireland's commitment to participation in UN-mandated peace operations, a long-standing and key foreign policy principle for Ireland.

I would also point out that other neutral and non-aligned States, including Austria, Finland and Sweden also contribute troops to ISAF.