Vol. 509 No. 6
43 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date of Ireland's campaign to seek election to the Security Council of the United Nations; and the number of states which have to date pledged support for Ireland's election. [20864/99]
144 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the meetings, telephone discussions or correspondence he has had with his foreign counterparts in support of Ireland's efforts to obtain a seat on the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17768/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 144 together.
Ireland is seeking election to one of the two non-permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council which are designated for the "Western Europe and Others" group of states for the two-year term 2001-2002. The election will take place in the 188-member UN General Assembly in October 2000. The election is being contested by three other candidates: Norway, Turkey and Italy. Successful candidates will require the support of two-thirds of those states present and voting. In effect, this means that the support of around 125 states will be needed to secure election. The election is by secret ballot.
I have sought support for Ireland's candidacy on all appropriate occasions, including on official visits abroad. Since September last, I have personally discussed Ireland's candidacy with the Foreign Ministers or Prime Ministers of approximately 100 member states of the United Nations. Recently, I attended the 54th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York where, in addition to participating in the general debate, I had bilateral contact with Foreign Ministers or Prime Ministers from around 60 UN member states. These contacts were productive, both in terms of promoting our Security Council candidacy among the broad UN membership, and in terms of discussing important issues of bilateral and international concern.
The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and other members of the Government, as well as a number of Ministers of State, have also promoted the Irish candidacy in their contacts with other administrations, where this was appropriate.
In September last, before the campaign entered a more intense phase, we had around 30 commitments. This level of support has been built on and the Government is determined that by October 2000 when the election takes place we will have the necessary number of votes to secure election.
