Joe Sherlock
Question:6 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland intends to seek membership of the United Nations Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - UN Committee Membership.
We have no plans at present to seek membership of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.
Ireland abstained on the vote which established the committee in 1975 under Resolution 3376/30 of the General Assembly. Our abstention was based on our view that the resolution lacked balance. The issue of the rights of Palestinians cannot be discussed in isolation from that of the rights of Israelis.
The need for balance between rights lies at the heart of our approach to the Arab-Israeli problem in general. I continue to believe that Irish membership of this committee would not assist in the search for an overall settlement.
May I take it that there is no intention to seek membership of the committee referred to?
That is quite so.
Can the Minister tell me if there is any intention to seek an amendment to the resolution establishing the committee so that we could seek membership of this committee?
That particular aspect has not been considered.
In view of the Government's continued and to my mind, excellent support for the cause of the Palestinian people, would the Minister agree that it would be important to have a presence on the committee provided of course we can find terms of reference to facilitate our participation?
As of now the position is that this group were established by a particular resolution. If the terms of reference of that resolution were to be restructured and we were assured — as I stressed in my initial reply — that the proper balance would be maintained between the rights of everybody involved then we would be prepared to consider it.
A final question, Deputy.
It is my understanding that the existing membership of the committee are quite anxious to broaden the representation on the committee and I am quite certain that there may be a positive response.
As it stands, there are only 23 members on that committee as well as a number of observers. As I say, if other members were satisfied that they should or could belong to the particular group, bearing in mind what is required of the group, then they would consider it. In reply to the Deputy's earlier question as to whether there would be a case for restructuring, this would depend on whether or not one could get a new resolution through the United Nations.