NEUTRALITY:THE INVOLVEMENT of seven Irish soldiers in the Nato-led International Security and Assistance Force (Isaf) mission in Afghanistan was questioned at an Oireachtas committee meeting yesterday.
Some members of the Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs voiced concerns that Ireland’s neutrality could be compromised by its participation in the mission.
Labour TD Joe Costello raised the issue during a committee discussion with Minister for Defence Tony Killeen and Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche. “I still don’t understand why [Irish troops] are in Afghanistan,” Mr Costello said. “What are they doing? I fail to see why we have personnel there.”
The UN-mandated Isaf mission comprises over 40 nations, of which more than 10 are non-Nato members like Ireland. The State has contributed seven Defence Forces personnel on a rotating basis to Isaf since July 2002.
Troops serve a six-month tour and more than 100 Irish soldiers have served in Afghanistan. All are based at Isaf headquarters in Kabul. Mr Killeen told the committee that all seven work in planning and administration.
Senator Feargal Quinn queried how Irish troops can operate with Nato in Afghanistan. “Is our neutrality compromised by this?”
Mr Killeen stressed the mission had a full UN mandate and therefore “fits all requirements”.
Turning to the Government’s decision to withdraw more than 400 troops from Chad, Mr Killeen said: “We very regrettably had to take the decision we took . . . in the circumstances we didn’t have any choice.”
