Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Tánaiste, his staff, diplomats from other countries and the media. I thank him for the comprehensive report. I shall not start second-guessing him because he has a busy schedule of meetings. I wish him continued success in that regard, particularly taking over the Presidency of the EU in January 2013. I also congratulate him on Ireland gaining a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council next year, for a three-year period. It consists of 47 countries. I congratulate him, his diplomats, Bono and others who contributed to securing the seat. The seat recognises Ireland's position on human rights and we will continue to work on human rights. It gives Ireland an additional role and continues the work done by the former President, Mary Robinson, and others.

The Tánaiste welcomed the announcement by stating that Ireland's reputation had been restored. I do not think that it had to be restored as far as human rights are concerned. I remind him that Ireland won a seat on the UN Security Council in 2001. It was a great success, and there were no diplomats then, so Ireland's recent success is not unique.

I take exception to the attack made on Trócaire by the chairman of the Fine Gael Party, Deputy Charlie Flanagan. It is unfair because Trócaire does excellent work throughout the world, particularly in the Middle East.