Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2018
120. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Ireland’s efforts to win a seat on the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48018/18]
View answerIreland is seeking election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2021-2022 term. The election will take place in the General Assembly of the United Nations in June 2020.Ireland’s candidature was announced in 2005 and the campaign underway and intensifying as the election date draws closer.
Alongside the Taoiseach and cabinet colleagues, I am taking advantage of every available opportunity to promote Ireland’s candidature and make the case for the strong and independent role we would play on the Council. In addition, my Department’s diplomatic staff in Ireland, our Permanent Representation to the UN in New York, and our entire Embassy network have been actively presenting our case and seeking support.
At the United Nations General Assembly this year, the theme for the General Debate was "Making the United Nations relevant to all people: global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies”.
I delivered Ireland’s National Statement to the General Debate in which I emphasised Ireland’s strong support for multilateralism as the best way to address global problems. I stated our conviction that we are stronger acting collectively than acting alone. We do not hold that unilateralism and protectionism are viable alternatives to the multilateral system.
Ireland is a global island, and it is our conviction, in today’s interdependent world, that we must live in each other’s shelter and not in each other’s shadow.
While attending September’s UN General Assembly, An Taoiseach, Minister of State Cannon and I met with a large number of Heads of State and Government and Ministers from all regions. During these constructive bilateral engagements, we received a strong hearing.
Ireland’s track record at the UN is widely respected as is our sense of Empathy, Partnership and Independence which are hallmarks of our Security Council campaign. Through all of our interactions and the extensive range of meetings taking place in the coming months, UN Member States will be very aware of Ireland’s candidature, our commitment to the United Nations and multilateralism and the values we seek to bring to the work of the Security Council.
