Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

In view of the fact that we are a small country with no axe to grind, can we not lead on this issue? Does the Minister agree that reform of the UN is required? Does he agree that the UN Security Council, with its five permanent members, is totally out of date in the current era? Does he accept that the 500 million people of the EU contribute more than anyone else to the running of the UN? Does he agree that the EU should have a different status to that of the Vatican, the Red Cross and the Arab League? It is time we as a country within the EU sought these changes and I ask him to set out the Government's position regarding reform of the Security Council and the general operation of the UN. Will he take a lead on this issue within the EU? He is smiling but, believe it or not, we could do a lot because we have nothing to lose.

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