Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I am pleased to contribute to this debate on the role of the United Nations and the urgent need for its reform. I wish to share time with Deputies Gormley and Ó Caoláin.

This debate has been given more relevance by last night's protests in Dublin when thousands of people participated in the campaign, Make Poverty History. I attended the protest and was heartened to see so many young people, people whom I did not normally see at protest meetings. Ireland has the opportunity to develop this support from the wider society.

I have always supported the United Nations even when it was not trendy to do so. I will always challenge those who seek to undermine the United Nations, whether in this House, the EU or the White House. Their agenda is to undermine the United Nations and I will defend it at all costs. However, I accept that reform is urgently required with new ideas for the development of the concept of the organisation.

I commend Irish soldiers who have served under the United Nations flag, some of whom have given their lives in the cause of international peace in conflict areas such as the Middle East. I pay tribute to them and their families for their work. Those of us who want a strong, independent, neutral foreign policy do not believe Ireland should sit on the fence and stay out of conflicts. It is rather a question of defending innocent people in different countries while retaining the integrity of being independent and respectful to those host nations. This is the value of the United Nations.

However I accept that reform is urgently required. I welcome recent developments, particularly the positive role of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, for which I commend him. Ireland should aim to build on the respect in which it was held 30 years ago and which may be slipping. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has a duty to develop this independent and strong foreign policy line and I wish him well in his endeavours.

The priority issues on any agenda must be to end wars and tackle world poverty. The international community must not tolerate wars and famine. There is enough wealth in this world, particularly in the west and in Africa, to feed everybody and to provide proper education and health services. The issue now is how the broader international community distributes that wealth. It is a crime of international proportions that so much wealth is not being distributed to the most needy, be that in Africa, the Middle East or Asia. The debate about the creation of wealth is over. The wealth exists and it is a question of how it is distributed. I do not accept that money can be expended on arms, but health care and primary school education in many countries cannot be provided. It is not an option to hide behind the so-called war on terrorism and countries which do so should be regularly challenged in every national parliament. Deputies should be vigorous in sending out this message which enjoys cross-party support.

We must face up to the reality that Ireland is wealthy. It is unacceptable to cop out of our commitment to allocate 0.7% of GNP to development aid. I do not accept the concept that the world's poor and oppressed, particularly in Africa, must wait on international action before being given their fair share. Rather than seeking a slice of the cake, the peoples of Africa should be running the bakery. They must be able to run their countries and distribute their own resources and wealth. I commend countries in Africa which have given a lead in this respect.

I welcome this debate on the United Nations, which is urgently in need of reform, and wish the Minister well in his role. He must ensure that respect for the United Nations becomes more widespread.

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