Ireland became a member of the Security Council on 1 January 2001 for a two year period.
During its period of membership the Government's approach was to develop independently a national position on each of the issues before the Security Council, to articulate it firmly and consistently, and to work constructively and flexibility to help achieve, wherever possible, a fair and practical outcome in the broadest possible interest of the parties involved and of the international community.
We were sympathetic to the concerns and interests of the wider UN membership whose trust in Ireland was evident in the support it received as a candidate for election in October 2001. Those who supported us will have been fully aware that our membership of the Security Council would be conducted in line with the distinctive approach that Ireland has brought to the UN since it became a member in 1955, including in such areas as peacekeeping, disarmament, human rights and development cooperation.
As a member of the Council, Ireland sought to ensure that human rights and humanitarian needs remained central to the discussions in the Council. We also sought to ensure that the Security Council's primary responsibility under the UN Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security was respected.
During its two year term Ireland was active in maintaining close contacts with the NGO community. It was also diligent in briefing EU partners on developments in the Security Council.
During the period of our membership the Security Council was confronted by a number of very serious challenges.
There were the 11 September attacks, and the ensuing military action in Afghanistan which commenced during Ireland's Presidency of the Council in October 2001. As Presidency, we were in a position to ensure that the actions taken were fully in accord with the letter and spirit of the UN Charter, that the Council was and remained fully involved, that the grave humanitarian situation of the Afghan people remained at the centre of its concerns, and that the UN was at the centre of reconstruction efforts.