Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2019

Tuesday, 29 January 2019

Ceisteanna (68)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

68. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the budget and spending of his Department in order to secure UN Security Council membership over the past period. [3772/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland is seeking election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2021-22 term. The election will take place in the General Assembly of the United Nations in June 2020.

Ireland’s candidature was announced in 2005 and the campaign is intensifying as the election date draws closer. There are two seats available on the Security Council for elected members of the Western Europe and Others Group, WEOG. Canada and Norway are the two other candidates for the 2021-22 term.

Our campaign to be elected to the UN Security Council was launched by the Taoiseach and I at the United Nations in New York in July 2018, with an event that highlighted Ireland’s commitment to multilateral engagement, including our strong record of 60 years of unbroken peacekeeping service with the United Nations, our long-standing development programme and our consistent commitment in the areas of human rights, humanitarian relief and disarmament.

I believe that Ireland’s track record at the UN is widely recognised, along with our spirit of Empathy, Partnership and Independence which are keynotes of our Security Council campaign and which reflect our policy interests, our values and our history of positive engagement with the wider world. 

Campaign costs to date have been approximately €500,000, including the launch event at the United Nations in New York, travel and promotional materials.

Alongside the Taoiseach and cabinet colleagues, I have utilised bilateral and multilateral meetings, and other international fora and engagements, to promote Ireland’s candidature and make the case for the strong and independent role we would play on the Council. 

In addition, my Department’s staff in Ireland, our Permanent Representation to the UN in New York, and our entire Embassy network have been actively presenting and highlighting our case and seeking support. UN Member States will be very aware of Ireland’s candidature, our commitment to the United Nations and multilateralism and the values we seek to bring to the work of the Security Council.

Question No. 69 answered with Question No. 60.
Barr
Roinn