Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

A number of speakers referred to the contributions we make to international organisations. Ireland's payments to the United Nations comprise mandatory contributions to the regular budget, the capital master plan, the International Criminal Court, the peacekeeping budget and tribunals. Countries' payments to the UN are based on a formula for the scale of assessment for member states which is reviewed at three yearly intervals. For the period 2013-15, Ireland's scale of assessment decreased from 0.498% to 0.418%. This reduction in our assessment by 16.1% reflects our economic contraction of recent years. The formula is based on GNP, and different formulae apply in respect of other international organisations. We can provide a briefing on the matter if members wish.

On the issue raised by Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan, our view is that any money we contribute to international organisations should be used for the purpose for which it is intended. Clearly we want to see efficiency and reform apply to international organisations, just as it does to our own public service. I will ask the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Costello, to deal with the humanitarian dimensions.

In regard to Deputy Durkan's question on impunity, we have made it clear that the individuals who have committed atrocities or are responsible for war crimes in Syria should be brought before the International Criminal Court. We were glad that progress was made by the Organisation for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons, OPCW, on dealing with chemical weapons in Syria. I will be in The Hague this Friday to meet the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs and I will use that opportunity to discuss with the OPCW what it has been doing in Syria. We support its work in this regard and have made a financial contribution towards it.

On nuclear weapons, Ireland has long been a leader in the campaign for nuclear disarmament. We are known for our position and we play an active role in this regard at the United Nations. On the issue of drones, unmanned aircraft can be used for peaceful and useful purposes, such as surveillance and search and rescue, as well as in warfare. We can be proud of the role we play at the United Nations, particularly in respect of our peacekeeping efforts. I pay tribute to the men and women who are serving abroad on peacekeeping work, including the members of the Defence Forces who took over responsibility for the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights in the latter part of last year.