Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2019
55. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Ireland’s bid for a seat on the UN Security Council; the amount spent on the bid to date; the estimated total spend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24941/19]
View answerThe campaign to secure an elected seat for Ireland on the UN Security Council is a priority across the whole of Government. With less than twelve months remaining until the expected date of the election, all appropriate multilateral and bilateral engagements are being utilised by An Taoiseach; I, as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade; Ministers across Government and by Ministers of State, to promote and discuss Ireland’s candidature.
Additionally, officials at my Department in Ireland, at the Permanent Representations of Ireland in New York and Geneva, and our Ambassadors and Envoys across our entire diplomatic network, have been actively promoting our candidature and seeking support.
In making our case to the 192 other Members States of the UN, we are highlighting our consistent record at the United Nations throughout more than six decades of active membership. We have a strong record at the UN in the areas of peacekeeping, sustainable development, humanitarian action, disarmament and human rights. Our spirt of Empathy, Partnership and Independence, which are keynotes of our Security Council campaign, speak to our policy interests, our values and our history of positive engagement at the global level.
UN Member states have been made aware of our candidature, our commitment to multilateralism and to the UN, and of the values we seek to bring to the work of the Council, if elected next year.
Campaign costs to date have been approximately €650,000 including the launch event at UNHQ in New York, promotional materials and campaign related travel and subsistence. Total spending by the end of the campaign will be dependent on a range of factors, particularly the number of lobbying visits and attendance at key international events undertaken over the next 12 months.
