Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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219. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he continues to influence through Irelands membership of the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations need to address locations of human rights abuses, the abuse of women and children for whatever reason in an early direct fashion which might lead to the recognition by such abusers and retribution for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49416/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Gender equality is at the heart of Ireland’s foreign and domestic policy, and ending gender-based violence is essential to achieving a gender-equal future. Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations globally.

Ireland has been a longstanding champion of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda at the UN, and it is a key priority for our membership of the Security Council and beyond. Ireland co-chairs the Informal Expert Group – a working group of the Security Council – on WPS, which ensures close engagement with the senior leadership of UN missions in monitoring actions to implement the Women, Peace and Security Agenda on the ground, and facilitating the enhanced flow of information and analysis to the Security Council. Ireland works to ensure that prevention of sexual violence is embedded into the operational provisions of all peace operations mandates agreed by the Council.

Combatting violations against children in conflict situations is also a priority during Ireland’s membership of the Security Council. The Security Council has established tools to strengthen child protection and to support international standards on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), including a comprehensive monitoring and reporting mechanism. Ireland is an active member of the relevant Security Council Working Group on CAAC, which adopts conclusions on country situations of concern and ensures follow up.

Most recently, Ireland participated in the UN Security Council Open Debate on CAAC on 19th July 2022. Ireland expressed dismay at the high numbers of children killed and maimed globally last year, notably in Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan, as well as during the escalation of violence in May 2021 in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. We also highlighted new situations of concern, including Ethiopia, Mozambique and Ukraine, called on parties to conflict to uphold international law and emphasised the need for sufficient funding and holistic reintegration and peacebuilding strategies. 

Outside of our membership to the UN Security Council, Ireland also actively promotes gender equality and the rights of the child in other UN fora, such as at the Commission on the Status of Women, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council.