Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I echo Senator McDowell's request in relation to Ireland's membership of the Security Council of the United Nations. However, I also applaud the initiative of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen. When Ireland assumed that important role earlier this year, he immediately initiated a process whereby representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs brief the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs on a monthly basis. The Minister came to the House on numerous occasions during the last term and I am sure he would welcome a further opportunity to do so. I ask the Leader to consider the possibility of arranging a debate on Ireland's membership of the United Nations to allow the Minister to give the House an update in that regard.