Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I visited Saudi Arabia and had the opportunity of meeting my counterpart. I availed of that opportunity to raise human rights issues and, in particular, the status of women, women's rights and the importance of equality in society. The United Nations at all levels, including the Security Council and the Offices of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, conducts its most sensitive work in confidentiality. This is fundamental to the effective operation of an institution which we uphold and support. I believe in dialogue in the conduct of international relations. That is the reason I visited Saudi Arabia. It is fundamental to the effective operation of an institution such as the United Nations that matters of sensitivity are conducted in confidence. Indeed, it is fundamental to the operation of relations between states. Ireland does not propose to turn on its head a convention that has been in place since 1947.

Again, I acknowledge the strong support in this House for gender equality and the protection of women's rights, two matters which lie at the root of this discussion. In fact, I am a former vice chairman of the Oireachtas women's rights committee, the only man to hold such an office. I have a strong record of promoting women's rights. Ireland has a strong a record of promoting the rights of women and girls at the United Nations. It is widely accepted that ours is a leading voice in this area. As I mentioned earlier, we will chair the UN Commission on the Status of Women over the next two years. The outcomes from that commission carry considerable moral force. Reaching consensus on subjects related to gender equality empowers advocates for the human rights of women and girls globally. It gives them a voice and a tool to hold governments to account nationally on commitments made globally. In this way the commission has an important role in achieving global gender equality. Ireland will take the opportunity to forward the gender equality agenda during our term on the commission.

As she prepares to assume her role as chair of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, I am happy to ask our incoming ambassador to the UN in New York, Geraldine Byrne Nason, to engage with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence regarding Ireland's ongoing work at the United Nations on the specific matter of promoting the rights of women and girls.

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