Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
137. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has drawn up assessments of the potential impact on Ireland of the withdrawal of the United States from international multilateral organisations, in view of the growing isolationism in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22848/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is a member of the Alliance for Multilateralism, an informal forum of States and civil society, which works to ensure that the multilateral system is effective and, importantly, seen to be effective.
The United States has been and continues to be a fully engaged and an important contributor to the international multilateral system. Protecting and strengthening our relationship with the United States, including in multilateral cooperation, will remain a key priority for the Government. Ireland and the United States work closely together to respond to global challenges including climate change, poverty, and hunger. Ireland and the EU have worked to strengthen our global role and to enhance our ability to respond to threats to our security and changes in the international political landscape. The European response to the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the EU can respond to existential challenges of scale, and mobilise unprecedented levels of cooperation when required, partnering with the US in response to these challenges has added new impetus to EU-US relations. The EU and US have been in close alignment in their condemnation of and response to Russian military aggression in Ukraine, with unprecedented levels of communication and cooperation.
A strong and present United States helps the multilateral system meet its full potential. It is in our interest that the transatlantic relationship remains strong and that the US, as well as all European partners, engage fully in the framework of multilateral institutions built since the Second World War. If any state withdraws from that system, or reduce its engagement, the critical need for multilateral frameworks to continue to deliver remains, and I am committed to playing my full part in supporting effective multilateralism across the international system.
