The Government has ended its financial support for the EU diplomat Michael Semple, who was expelled from Afghanistan amid claims that he was undermining the country's security.
Mr Semple, who is an Irish national, received around €10,000 a month from the Department of Foreign Affairs for his work in the country.
He was expelled from Afghanistan on Christmas Day, where he was Deputy EU Special Representative. He said he had been involved in 'reconciliation' work.
President Hamid Karzai claimed Mr Semple and UN worker Mervyn Patterson had met with members of the Taliban and had threatened national security.
Last year Mr Semple received €120,000 from the Irish Aid budget.
Documents released to RTÉ News under the Freedom of Information Act show the Department of Foreign Affairs decided to end Mr Semple's funding in the days after his expulsion, with one official claiming he may have made an 'error of judgement'.
The documents also show that officials were not able to independently verify what Mr Semple had been doing before he was expelled.
Mr Semple was told no money would be available to him were he to return to Afghanistan in some other role.
Funding ended at the same time as his mandate as deputy special representative. Officials noted that this appeared to be a 'logical break' and would avoid giving the appearance that it was linked to his expulsion.
Listen to an extended interview with Michael Semple from Islamabad, Pakistan, where he is now based.
