Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. The contributions that we make to the UN each year are mandatory contributions and they fluctuate slightly. For example, a big part of UN expenditure is on peacekeeping operations. It is a multi-billion euro expenditure programme. Obviously, Ireland benefits from that in the context of our interest in UN peacekeeping operations, such as UNIFIL and UNDOF. Those operations are all funded through UN funds to which Ireland makes a contribution.

There is concern within the UN generally that were the US to reduce its funding to the UN significantly in percentage terms, given the US provides nearly 40% of funding to the UN and it is a significant funder, it would have major consequences. There is a reform programme under way, that the US is buying into and supporting, in respect of value for money and ensuring there is no duplication to try to break down some of the silos in the UN that undoubtedly need to be challenged. We need to ensure, however, that the output in the form of the results the UN achieves in helping some of the most vulnerable people in the world is not reduced in the effort to ensure efficiency and value for money. Unfortunately, there are more conflicts and crises for the UN to deal with than we have seen for many years. For a start, there are multiple famines, which are inexcusable in this day and age, and for the most part are preventable if there is intervention at the right time.

Potential reductions by the US in contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, are a major concern for Ireland and for many other countries. UNRWA is the UN organisation that essentially supports Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan and Lebanon. Historically, the US is a big funder of UNRWA. I have visited UNRWA schools within Palestinian territories, as I am sure have members of this committee. They are impressive and effective ways of educating young Palestinians, who, by the way, are really well educated generally, which is why it is such a tragedy that we cannot allow a state of Palestine to grow and build sustainably for itself. The immediate concern - I will stand corrected on this - is that between 70% and 80% of the population in Gaza are reliant in some way or other on UNRWA support through health care, education or food supports. Consequently, because the US is a very significant funder a significant reduction would have significant consequences. This is so much the case that Ireland will be participating, as will many other countries, in a funding conference for UNRWA, led by Sweden and Jordan, which will be held in Rome in a few weeks' time. I think I am right on that detail - I will happily stand corrected if I am not - but I think that is where it is happening.

Incidentally, this year we have already committed €5 million to UNRWA. I signed off on that a few weeks ago. We would encourage other countries to do the same. Most important, we would encourage - I have directly asked - the US to reconsider its decision to reduce funding for UNRWA. Undoubtedly, in the medium term, there is reform required of the role that UNRWA plays because people should not be refugees forever. Many Palestinian refugees, unfortunately for them and their families, have been refugees for a lifetime. There is a need for a transition in time from a refugee organisation to a support organisation that can allow a Palestinian government to be able to provide for health care and education in its own territories for its own people.

However, that is no consolation to a parent who has a child in a UNRWA school today or a woman who is relying on a UNRWA health care clinic, living in very difficult conditions in Gaza or in any of the other refugee camps today. I am sorry about the detail on the UNRWA, but I feel strongly about it.

Finally, I was asked a specific question on the UN Security Council campaign. Our UN Security Council campaign is currently being managed within existing resources but before the election in 2020 an extra spend undoubtedly will be required, which we will have to factor into our budget. With respect to our last UN Security Council campaign in 2000, additional staffing needs at that time were supplied by redeployment and the creation of temporary posts. Approximately €1.5 million was allocated to cover additional costs relating to that campaign. We will probably spend a little more than that this time. If Ireland wants to be at the table where major decisions are taken on global issues, which is the UN Security Council, it must win a very competitive campaign process. There are two places available and three countries are going for those places, namely, Ireland, Norway and Canada. We happen to be competing with two very influential countries in the UN structure. It is not an easy task but we are well placed to be able to be in the top two if we focus on a well run campaign, which is what we are trying to do.