Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader to consider a debate on UN reform in light of the important appointment of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, to be the eyes and ears, as the media describe it, throughout Europe of the Secretary General. He embarks today on a visit to 43 capital cities. The figure may be exaggerated but I am merely quoting the media. The list of meetings he will attend in the next six months is quite comprehensive. He also carries out his existing duties as Minister for Foreign Affairs exceptionally well. In light of this important appointment and the fact that Ireland tends to hang its colours of neutrality around the importance of the United Nations, I ask for a debate in the context of the European treaty. There is a wide scope of subject matter to be debated.