Vol. 445 No. 9
96 Mr. Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which Ireland's neutrality is expressed nowadays at the United Nations in terms of stances we may take on issues that would affect our neutrality; the way in which decisions are taken on the way our representative may vote when issues that may affect our neutrality are voted on. [1449/94]
The Programme for a Partnership Government sets out the commitment of the Government to work for a peaceful world and European order based on international co-operation, the rule of international law, and active participation in international bodies, in particular the UN, the CSCE, and the European Union. It states also that the Government will support the search for collective security based on the UN Charter and the principles of the CSCE.
In accordance with this commitment, the Government is currently pursuing at the United Nations a policy focused on the peaceful settlement of disputes, respect for human rights, disarmament, peacekeeping and Third World development. To this end, they are working with like-minded members of the European Union, as well as with the applicant states and other like-minded countries.
Ireland's policy at the United Nations, as in other international fora, reflects fully Ireland's policy of non-membership of military alliances. I can assure the Deputy that decisions on the position that Ireland will adopt on issues arising at the United Nations are fully consistent with Government policy in this regard.
