asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland intends to put forward a candidate for the position of Secretary General of UNESCO when that position becomes vacant shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - UNESCO Director General.
22.
The term of office of the Director General of UNESCO expires at the end of 1987. The present Director General, Mr. M'Bow, who is nearing the end of his second term of office, announced in Autumn of last year that he does not wish to seek a third term.
Already there are six candidates nominated officially by member states; and a considerable number of other possible candidates have expressed an interest. Many member states favour a system of regional rotation and, according to one view of this, the next Director General should come from the Asian region. It is not yet clear whether there will be agreement on a single nomination.
Ireland like other members of the Twelve is keeping in touch with the situation but no consideration has been given to putting forward an Irish candidate.