Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will withdraw Irish Defence Force personnel from Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30063/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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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. Participation in the mission is subject to ongoing review.

On 21 May 2012, at its summit in Chicago, NATO endorsed an exit strategy that calls for handing control of Afghanistan's security to its own security forces by the middle of 2013 and for the withdrawal of most of the 130,000 foreign troops serving with ISAF by the end of 2014. It is proposed that the seven Defence Forces personnel will continue to serve with ISAF in the immediate future, subject to ongoing review. However, as the mission downsizes and ISAF HQ staff are withdrawn, Irish personnel will be withdrawn from the ISAF mission.