Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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101. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the engagement he and his Department have had with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan from 2022 to date; if the Taliban government in Afghanistan has withdrawn staff who engage with Ireland through its non-resident embassy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38319/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have consistently stated that Ireland does not recognise the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. This remains our strong position, especially as women, girls and vulnerable groups continue to face abhorrent human rights abuses by the Taliban. Ireland remains fully aligned with the EU Council Conclusions of March 2023 which reaffirmed commitment to peace and stability in Afghanistan, supporting its people as well as the key role of the United Nations in Afghanistan.

Since 2013, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has accredited an Ambassador to Ireland on a non-resident basis, from London. The current Ambassador-designate, Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, was granted agrément in March 2021 but did not have an opportunity to present his credentials in Ireland before the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. Following those events, no invitation was extended to Dr. Rassoul to present credentials and he has therefore not taken up his functions. My Department has had very limited written engagement with representatives of the Embassy of Afghanistan in London, appointed by the previous Afghan government, in the intervening period since the Taliban takeover in August 2021.

On 12th September 2024, Ireland received formal communication from the Ambassador-designate regarding the planned closure of the Afghan Embassy in London to take effect from 27th September 2024. This communication from the Embassy in London followed an announcement by the Taliban in August that they were closing a number of Afghan Missions associated with the former Republic of Afghanistan, including the Afghan Embassy in London, and will no longer honour documentation issued by officials in these Missions including deeds, passports and visa stickers. The decision to close the Afghan Embassy was taken following consultation on their part with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London. There has been no communication of any kind from the Taliban received by my Department in relation to this issue.

Discussions are underway with our EU Partners on the full implications of the Taliban announcement regarding Embassy closures and its potential impact on the rights of Afghans living within the EU. In the meantime, Ireland will continue to speak out and condemn the gross, widespread and systematic human rights abuses by the Taliban across Afghanistan, particularly against women, girls and individuals from marginalised communities.