Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Irish Defence Forces currently serving in Afghanistan; the cost to the Exchequer of this deployment; if a timetable exists for the withdrawal of these members of the Defence Forces currently serving in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14012/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces are primarily deployed on overseas missions in support of international peace and security under UN mandates. 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. With the increasing use of more robust Chapter VII missions, the UN has turned to regional organisations such as the European Union, the African Union and NATO, to launch and manage operations on its behalf and under its authority.

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. On 28 June 2011, the Government agreed to continue to provide seven members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with ISAF for a further period from July 2011, subject to ongoing ministerial review. Currently there are no plans to withdraw the Defence Forces personnel from the mission. Participation in the mission is subject to ongoing ministerial review.

The annual additional cost to the Defence Vote arising from participation by the Defence Forces in ISAF is approximately €320,000.

Throughout the years, Ireland has and continues to contribute highly qualified Defence Forces personnel to UN mandated missions in small numbers or for short durations. This is a tangible and visible expression of Ireland's continued support for organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union.

The seven Defence Forces personnel currently participating in ISAF are all located in ISAF HQ, Kabul and work in staff appointments in planning and administrative roles. I am satisfied that the work carried out by these personnel, particularly by those in the Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) cell, represents an important contribution to this UN mandated mission.