Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This year we provided €1.965 million in unearmarked funding to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Achieving the sustainable development goals in respect of protecting human rights requires collective action. To this end, we are a strong supporter of multilateralism and core flexible funding to enable our multilateral partners to plan and manage resources effectively.

In February, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, joined an initiative led by the Netherlands calling on the UN Secretary General to ensure the UN human-rights-based approach is supported with increased financial resources. The Department of Foreign Affairs, from Dublin and through permanent missions in Geneva and New York, will continue to advocate for adequate financing and will support the independence of the special procedures system.