Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together.

I travelled to New York in July to participate in the launch of Ireland’s election campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2021-22 term. During that visit, I attended and spoke at the event that formally launched Ireland's bid. I also spoke at an event commemorating Ireland's record of 60 years of unbroken service on UN peacekeeping operations and met with representatives of more than 30 African Union member states to emphasise Ireland's commitment to partnership with the continent, and to highlight Ireland's Security Council campaign.

I made a return visit to the UN earlier this week to represent Ireland at the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit, where leaders and representatives of more than 130 countries gathered to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela as part of the week's events around the United Nations General Assembly. The political declaration from the Summit reaffirms the signatories’ commitment to the three UN pillars: peace and security, development, and human rights. It also reaffirms the importance of the multilateral system in preventing and resolving conflict. Ireland and South Africa led the preparation of this political declaration.

While at the UN this week, I had the opportunity to meet bilaterally with the Presidents of South Africa, Namibia, Columbia and Mozambique, the Prime Minister of New Zealand and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malawi.

During each of these meetings we discussed our bilateral relations as well as Ireland's campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council. I also had the opportunity to discuss these issues in informal conversations with several other Heads of State and Government, including the Cypriot President, Prime Ministers Trudeau of Canada, Muscat of Malta, and Ratas of Estonia, and with senior UN officials including Secretary General António Guterres, Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed, and President of the General Assembly María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés.

Attendance at the United Nations also presents the opportunity to engage on an impromptu basis with many people in leadership positions in politics, international development and civic society. Among others, I met informally with the widow of Nelson Mandela, Ms Graca Machel; the Secretary General of the Arab League, the Secretary General of Amnesty International, Mr. Kumi Naidoo, and representatives of the Governments of Monaco, Bahrain, Guyana, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

I am sure the House will agree that Ireland's credentials as a candidate for the Security Council are very strong. Since joining the UN in 1955, Ireland has made a sustained contribution to the international community’s efforts to tackle important global challenges like peace and security, human rights, international development, climate change and sustainable development. Ireland’s candidature for a seat on the UN Security Council will deepen our UN engagement at a time when the multilateral institutions which are so important for international peace and order are under pressure.

Before I travelled to New York last weekend I had the opportunity to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during his short visit to Ireland. We were joined by the Tánaiste and by members of President Abbas's delegation including Deputy Prime Minister Abu-Amr, Foreign Minister al-Maliki, and chief negotiator Saeb Erekat.

Our discussions covered the Middle East peace process, Ireland's support for the Palestinian people and challenges facing the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people regarding peace, security, welfare and human rights. I emphasised to President Abbas the Irish Government's continued and consistent support for the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.

As regards further international engagements over the next six months, I will attend the scheduled meetings of the European Council in Brussels on 17 and 18 of October and 13 and 14 of December. I will also attend any extra meetings of the European Council that are scheduled, including the one mooted for November. I expect to attend the next meeting of the British-Irish Council scheduled for 9 November in the Isle of Man.

I will also continue with my programme of bilateral meetings with other members of the European Council. I will keep the House informed as and when details of any future visits and engagements are finalised for announcement.

See this speech in context