Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
243. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on whether Ireland is doing enough to contribute to global peace and security through the UN; and the reasons for same. [35341/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a small state, Ireland depends on multilateralism and a rules-based international order for our security, prosperity and well-being. It for this reason that successive governments have invested heavily in supporting multilateralism. At a time of growing geopolitical challenges, attacks on multilateralism and decreased funding, Ireland remains fully committed to supporting the rules-based order with the UN at its heart.
Ireland has a solid record of taking on leadership roles within the multilateral system.
The Irish people can be proud of our support, over seven decades, to UN peacekeeping operations and to other UN-mandated missions including through the deployment of our Defence Forces to UNIFIL, to the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and to the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), as well as through An Garda Síochána personnel deployed to the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus.
When elected to the Security Council on four occasions, most recently in 2021-2022, our contributions have been defined by a commitment to peace and conflict prevention. Ireland is a top donor to the UN Peacebuilding Fund, which supports flexible investments in peacebuilding initiatives in conflict-affected areas. The Fund places a strong focus on empowering women and youth, and on sustaining peace in UN Peacekeeping transitions.
Ireland played a key role in bringing about the Sustainable Development Goals and will continue to champion them as the 2030 target approaches, regrettably without enough progress being made to date. Irish Aid works closely with UN agencies to address poverty, hunger and inequality in the world’s poorest countries.
Ireland is standing for election to the UN Human Rights Council from 2027 to 2029. If elected, we will speak frankly and effectively in defence of human rights, particularly women’s rights, gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. Ireland’s voice will be heard loud and clearly despite the wider context of a global pushback against these values. Ireland will continue to oppose all attempts to dilute international human rights standards.
As we look to the challenges of today and tomorrow, Ireland recognises that we need a UN that is equipped to deliver effectively. For this reason, Ireland supports Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s UN80 reform initiative which aims to help the UN adapt and make it more efficient. Ireland is actively engaged in the process through our Missions in New York and Geneva, alongside and in close cooperation with our EU partners.
The UN80 process should ensure that the United Nations is effective, cost-efficient and responsive, and can adapt to become more agile, integrated, and better equipped to respond to complex challenges amid tightening resources. At the same time, Ireland believes that reform cannot come at the cost of UN core values. Each of the three pillars – peace and security, development and human rights - must be protected under the UN80 process. Ireland looks forward to continuing to support reform under the leadership of the next Secretary General, due to be appointed by the end of this year. It is essential that the new Secretary General is capable of leading a strong, multilateral system at a time of growing geopolitical challenges. She or he can count on the active political support of Ireland throughout her or his term.
Ireland believes that the UN remains essential to the promotion of human dignity and well-being and to efforts to resolve and prevent conflict. Ireland also believes that the success and effectiveness of the UN depends on the demonstrable political will and commitment of the organisation’s Member States. Having placed the UN at the heart of our foreign policy, we will continue to demonstrate our firm commitment to supporting the UN to fulfil its essential role.
