This country's foreign policy is based on three fundamental pillars – a commitment to the European Union, a commitment to our relationship with the USA and a commitment to strengthen the role of the United Nations in the world. The second of those pillars has served us well in the test of time. We are all conscious of the tangible influence of the US peacemaking and peacekeeping role in Northern Ireland. We also appreciate the substantial direct investment in this country from the US. With regard to the first pillar to which I referred, we are well aware of the visible and tangible benefits Ireland enjoys from its membership of the EU. In relation to the third pillar, a strong United Nations has a major role to play in the modern world.