Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2018
153. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff who have been designated to work on Ireland's bid for a seat at the UN Security Council; if staff have been seconded from other Departments or outside agencies to work on the bid; if so, the number seconded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30812/18]
View answer154. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the budget allocated for Ireland's bid to win a seat on the UN Security Council; the breakdown of the budget allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30813/18]
View answer155. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if other events have been planned for Ireland's bid to win a seat on the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30814/18]
View answer156. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of Ireland's campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council; the reason the campaign has not focused on Ireland's history and policy of neutrality in international affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30848/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 153 to 156, inclusive, together.
Ireland is seeking election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2021-2022 term. Our candidature was first announced in 2005 and the campaign has been building since then under successive Governments.
The official launch of Ireland’s candidature took place at UN headquarters in New York on 2 July, marking the beginning of an intensive period of lobbying which will continue until the election in June 2020. I, along with all my Cabinet colleagues, will be intensifying efforts to make Ireland’s case. This political engagement is being supported by my Department’s diplomatic personnel.
The campaign is being coordinated at official level by a core team of staff in the UN Policy Unit, within the Political Division of my Department. This team currently consists of 6 staff members. While the UN Policy Unit has a number of other areas of responsibility, the UN Security Council candidature is central to its work. One secondment is currently envisaged to assist with the implementation of the Global Ireland initiative and this will include support to the Security Council campaign among other tasks.
In addition to Dublin based staff, Ireland’s Mission to the UN in New York is also fully engaged on the election effort. I would also stress that the campaign is a whole of Department, and whole of Government, undertaking. Thus messaging and activities relevant to Ireland’s candidature are being integrated into the work of all sections and offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as that of other Government departments.
Up to this point Ireland’s UN Security Council campaign has been managed within existing resources by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. As we move forward there will be a need for additional resources to promote Ireland’s candidature as we seek to secure support from UN Member States.
Over the coming two years until the election in June 2020, Ireland will seek to build awareness of our achievements and experience globally. This will be realised through the use of Ireland’s diplomatic network, engagement on substantive policy issues at the UN, and the organisation of events on a range of themes which will highlight Ireland’s track record globally and our principled commitment to the value of multilateralism.
Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality goes hand in hand with our promotion of international peace and security, including our obligations as members of the United Nations. This aspect of our history and track record as a UN Member State is one which has resonated across the membership of the UN since we joined in 1955 and we continue to highlight it. The themes of empathy, partnership and independence are intended to capture Ireland’s lived experience and outlook, giving primacy to cooperation, agreement and reasonable compromise.
