Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 5

Written Answers - UN Modernisation.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

18 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals, if any, he intends to bring forward for modernisation of the United Nations arising from the commitment given in An Action Programme for the Millennium. [4288/98]

Phil Hogan

Question:

55 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he has taken to modernise the UN in view of the fact this policy was set as a priority in An Action Programme for the Millennium. [4266/98]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 55 together.

Ireland has actively supported efforts to modernise and reform the United Nations system so that it can be more effective in responding to the complex and difficult challenges in the coming millennium. Our priority is to secure agreement on the measures necessary to revitalise the United Nations, and ensure more vigorous action in fulfilling its mandate under the UN Charter of maintaining international peace and security and promoting the economic and social development of all member states.

In the debate on UN reform at the General Assembly, Ireland and her EU partners have made proposals for financial reform of the UN budget. These recommend that member state contributions be assessed by a simple, fair and transparent mechanism, based on the principle of capacity to pay, calculated in accordance with per capita GNP. Under these proposals, the majority of poorer developing countries would pay less to the UN budget.

With regard to the UN role in the area of economic and social development, the EU, under the recent Irish Presidency, put forward a substantial set of proposals aimed at strengthening the contribution of the UN system in this sector. It was recommended that the various UN agencies and programmes adopt a more prioritised and better co-ordinated approach in the development area, particularly in the fight to reduce poverty in lesser developed countries. These proposals also envisaged the establishment of a deputy Secretary-General post with particular responsibility to oversee and direct renewal measures within the UN system in this area.

In a detailed report presented in July 1997, the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, has underlined his commitment to achieving a stronger and more effective UN system. In his report, which was debated in the recent General Assembly session in New York, he outlined a series of actions to be taken by him to modernise and renew UN structures and programmes, and recommended other reform measures to be agreed by member states. The General Assembly has given a positive response to his report. Ireland and her EU partners gave full political endorsement to the Secretary-General's report which included many ideas put forward by the EU, including that of the appointment of a deputy Secretary-General post. In the period ahead Ireland will work closely, in co-operation with our EU partners and other member states, to ensure that the momentum of the UN reform process is maintained.