asked the Minister for External Affairs whether any special meeting of Ireland's full-time UN delegates has been held to consider Irish policy in the UN during the present year; and which problems will have most attention from Ireland's delegation during the year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish UN Policy.
1.
Our permanent delegation to the United Nations consists of a Permanent Representative of Ambassador rank and two diplomatic members of his staff of Counsellor and Third Secretary rank. During the annual sessions of the General Assembly this permanent delegation is strengthened by additional diplomatic staff drawn from the headquarters of the Department and from our Diplomatic Missions abroad as required, normally numbering about five additional members. The delegation receives its instructions from me or from the appropriate officer of the Department after consultation where necessary with the Government, Departments of State, the Permanent Representative in New York and our other missions abroad. Meetings of the full delegation normally take place only during sessions of the General Assembly.
In reply to the second part of the question, it is not possible to predict in advance which problems will receive most attention during the present year in the United Nations. This will depend upon the nature of the items inscribed on the Agenda and developments in relation to them. In recent years some of the main problems which have received our special attention in the United Nations have included the non-dissemination of nuclear weapons, the financing of peace-keeping operations, the application of the principles of the United Nations Charter to areas of conflict, the problems relating to Human Rights and the remnants of colonialism and the basic problems of an economic and social nature confronting the developing countries.
Surely the Minister omitted to mention Vietnam as an important problem?
Vietnam was not raised in the General Assembly. The American Government put down in the Security Council a motion dealing with the matter but that was not taken up because they did not get agreement between the other permanent members.
Have we settled our policy on Vietnam?
Yes, long ago.
Is it in accordance with the plea made by U Thant?
It is in accordance with the statement I made several times. If the Deputy wants to put down a separate question on that, put it down.
This deals with policy generally?
Yes, it does. I have answered the question. If the Deputy wants to put further questions down, he is welcome to do so.
If the Minister is reluctant to answer relevant supplementaries, I will put down a question.
I am not reluctant to answer supplementaries. If the Deputy wants a delicate and complicated matter like external affairs in relation to a very intricate problem discussed, it should be done on the Estimates or on a motion.
You would not be here for that.
Does the Minister for External Affairs want to appear to be more delicate than U Thant?
I want to be as delicate as I think I should be.
Will the Minister say what is the annual cost to the Exchequer of our mission to the United Nations?
If the Deputy looks up the Book of Estimates, he will find that.
Apparently, the Minister is not in a good mood today. The question arises incidentally from this. We will have another question for him next week.
That is what I call a fuzzy supplementary.
It is seldom we see him here; yet he refuses to answer questions relevant to his office.
The Deputy can read all this in the Book of Estimates.
All the incidental expenses are not there.
Can you spare the time for us next week?
Yes.
We are surprised. It is seldom we see you.
Will Deputies please allow Questions to continue?
The Minister is a treat for sore eyes.