Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2019
148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he, at European Union and United Nations levels, continues to positively influence the international community response to war and starvation in various trouble spots throughout the globe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4408/19]
View answerThe number and complexity of humanitarian crises globally has increased in recent years, with the UN estimating that over 130 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance and protection. Conflict is the most significant driver of this increased need.
Critical to maximising Ireland’s response is our central and enduring commitment to effective multilateralism, particularly through our membership of the European Union and the United Nations. Ireland is a strong contributor not just to decisions regarding the international humanitarian response to crises but also, importantly, to efforts to prevent and resolve conflict.
At the EU level, Ireland is engaging actively along with other EU Member States on issues relating to peace and security, and also in the oversight of EU development and humanitarian instruments. Last week’s meeting of EU and African Union Foreign Ministers, attended by both the Tánaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs and myself, discussed peace and security cooperation - a central pillar of the EU-AU partnership. Through the European Development Fund, we are contributing to the African Peace Facility, an important source of funding for the African Union's efforts in peace and security.
Likewise, at the level of the UN, Ireland is playing a central role in promoting multilateral engagement on peace and security and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. We are also promoting the UN’s ability to respond effectively where crises occur. For example, Ireland is currently chairing the donor group of the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA. This agency manages the Central Emergency Response Fund, responding to sudden onset disasters and to under-funded crises. A key priority for Ireland as Chair is the protection of civilians and the upholding of international humanitarian law.
In international forums, Ireland consistently advocates for adherence to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and calls on all parties – for example, those engaged in the Syria conflict - to fulfil their responsibility to protect civilians and to allow the safe passage of humanitarian assistance.
Ireland also continues to support efforts by the UN in keeping peace, improving human well-being and advancing human rights and the rule of law. The UN has helped to end numerous conflicts, often through actions of the Security Council - the organ with primary responsibility, under the United Nations Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security.
Ireland has a long tradition of contributing to UN and EU peace-support missions, including in some of the world’s most complex and intractable conflicts. Ireland has maintained a continuous presence in UN peace support operations since 1958, and the Government is committed to participation in peacekeeping operations as a tangible contribution to the development of global peace and security. This was illustrated by the Taoiseach’s recent visit to Mali, where he met members of the Irish Defence Forces serving with the EU Training Mission to Mali, EUTM.
Ireland’s commitment to peace and security has informed our decision to seek election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the period 2021-22. If elected, membership of the Security Council will allow Ireland to play an even more important influential role in the international response to the needs of the most vulnerable.
