During a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs, I said: My questions have been covered by others. One relates to the exact point made by Deputy Pat Breen on Haiti. I come from a marketing background and it seems to me that sometimes, if one is to obtain support, one must ensure it is recognised. I fear that in the case of Haiti...

The excellent work being done in Haiti and which needs to continue on the part of Europeans is not being recognised. To some extent, we are inclined to blame High Representative Ashton for the lack of profile initially. Will the Minister confirm whether Ms Ashton has been in the region? The Americans have a much higher profile than the Union. Haiti is much closer to America than to Europe but if Europeans are to continue to obtain support they need a higher profile.

My other query concerns Afghanistan. It had slipped my mind that Irish troops are in Afghanistan. There are seven in Kabul. The Minister says they are involved in planning and administrative roles. We always took pride in our determination that we are a neutral country.

Therefore, how do we manage to operate in Afghanistan with NATO? Is there a danger that our legislation on neutrality is compromised in some way? What are the seven personnel doing in Kabul?

Is it possible they are operating with NATO rather than separately? Are there other EU countries in a similar position to Ireland in that they have personnel in Afghanistan but are not members of NATO?

Will the Minister keep us up to date on Kosovo? Will our departure therefrom create the problems suggested to us by some of those who have been writing to us as representatives?

To read the response of the Minister and the full record of the meeting, please click here.