Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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41. To ask the Minister for Defence when Irish Defence Forces personnel will be withdrawn from Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29124/13]

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. On 9 October 2012, the UN Security Council extended ISAF’s mandate for a further year until October 2013. Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated mission in Afghanistan since 5 July 2002. The continued participation by seven (7) members of the Permanent Defence Force in ISAF is reviewed annually by the Government.I will shortly bring proposals to Government to continue to provide seven members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with ISAF for a further period from July 2013, subject to ongoing review. ISAF has a current strength of approximately 99,590 personnel drawn from 48 Countries. In March 2011, the transition process whereby the Afghan security forces would gradually take on more security responsibility from ISAF was launched.

As of 31 December 2012, twenty-three (23) of the thirty-four (34) Afghan provinces are fully in transition. This process is due to be completed at the end of 2014, when ISAF’s mission will end. NATO will then lead a follow-on mission to continue to support the development of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) capacity.

Planning for the withdrawal of the Defence Forces personnel from the mission will be coordinated within the context of the overall ISAF drawdown plan.