Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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49. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of efforts to secure a seat on the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53293/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The expected date of the election for the two available seats in the Western European and Others Group for the UN Security Council term 2021-2022 is June 2020. Canada and Norway, who are committed members of the UN and important bilateral partners of Ireland, are also competing for seats. Ireland last served on the Council from 2001-2002.

In making our case to the 192 other Members States of the UN, we are focusing on Ireland’s consistent record at the UN during more than six decades of active membership, in particular in the areas of peacekeeping, sustainable development, humanitarian action, disarmament and human rights. More broadly, we have sought to highlight the values and principles that underpin Ireland’s foreign policy and will characterise our contribution to the work of the Security Council. At a time when it is under pressure, the importance we attach to securing a seat on the Security Council demonstrates to our international partners Ireland’s strong commitment to the multilateral system.

As we enter the final phase of the campaign, we can expect our competitors to intensify their lobbying efforts. All appropriate regional, multilateral and bilateral engagements are therefore being utilised to give profile to our candidature. In September, I travelled to the 74th session of the UN General Assembly with the President, the Taoiseach and other members of the Government. Our programmes included a significant number of bilateral meetings with senior representatives of other States and Governments, where our strong case for a seat on the Security Council was pressed. Earlier this month, my attendance at the 26th Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) presented an important opportunity to brief counterparts from across the European neighbourhood on Ireland’s candidature. I also attended the meeting of EU and Asian Foreign Ministers in Madrid this week and promoted Ireland's candidature in my meetings with counterparts.

This campaign is a priority for the Government. The Taoiseach, I as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministers and Ministers of State across Government - and our officials - will continue to engage intensively with international partners to ensure success in what is a very competitive election.