Vol. 478 No. 5
24 Miss M. Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government recognises the need for the development of a closer relationship between the UN and national parliaments; and the progress, if any, which has been made in this regard during the term of the present Government. [11474/97]
The Government fully supports the development of closer relations between the United Nations Organisation and national parliaments.The current and appropriate framework for this co-operation is through the Interparliamentary Union (IPU) which is the world organisation through which national parliaments work together at the international level and which shares the principles and objectives of the United Nations. The regular meetings organised jointly by the UN and the IPU, in which parliamentarians from around the world, including Ireland, have participated, are one important aspect of this co-operation.
Within the United Nations General Assembly, member states have considered ways in which the existing co-operation between the United Nations and the IPU might be further strengthened. Ireland has during these debates supported efforts to agree a new and appropriate framework for enhanced co-operation between the two organisations. These efforts resulted in a co-operation agreement which was signed between the United Nations and the IPU on 24 July 1996. This agreement provides for increased consultation and co-operation between the UN and the IPU on issues of international importance.
The Government has welcomed the conclusion of this agreement. Ireland was a co-sponsor of the resolution of the General Assembly, adopted during its 51st Session on 7 November 1996, on increasing and strengthening co-operation between the two organisations. We look forward to the report on co-operation between the UN and the IPU which the Secretary General of the United Nations will be presenting to the 52nd Session of the General Assembly.
