Vol. 508 No. 4
104 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to Ireland securing a place on the UN Security Council for 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter in view of his recent attendance at the United Nations General Assembly. [19258/99]
Ireland is seeking election to one of the two non-permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council which are designated for the Western Europe and other groups of states for the two year term 2001-02. The election will take place in the 188 member United Nations General Assembly in October 2000. The election is being contested by three other candidates: Norway, Turkey and Italy. Successful candidates will require the support of two thirds of those states present and voting. In effect, this means that the support of around 120 states will be needed to secure election. The election is by secret ballot.
In September last, before the campaign entered a more intense phase, we had around 30 commitments. This level of support has been built on and the Government is determined that by October 2000 when the election takes place we will have the necessary number of votes to secure election.
I have sought support for Ireland's candidacy on all appropriate occasions, including on official visits abroad. I recently attended the 54th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York where, in addition to participating in the general debate, I had bilateral contact with Foreign Ministers or Prime Ministers from around 60 UN member states. These contacts were productive, both in terms of promoting our Security Council candidacy among the broad UN membership, and in terms of discussing important issues of bilateral and international concern.
As I indicated previously, this is a contested election. I am reluctant therefore to indicate the exact level of support committed to Ireland at this stage. Let me say simply that the Government is gratified by the broad support that Ireland's candidacy has attracted.
