Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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607. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the relationship between Ireland and the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization C-24; the input that Ireland has made to this special committee; and if Ireland has ever applied to join same. [63899/22]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Special Committee on Decolonization, or C-24, was established in 1961 by the General Assembly, as its subsidiary organ devoted to the issue of decolonization. The Committee’s mandate is to examine the application and implementation of General Assembly resolution 1514 of December 1960, also known as the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.

The C-24 annually reviews the list of seventeen Non-Self-Governing Territories to which the Declaration is applicable, hears statements from representatives of the Non-Self-Governing Territories at its annual sessions, dispatches visiting missions to the Territories and organizes regional seminars on an annual basis.

The C-24 consists of 29 members, with the Chair, three 3 Vice-Chairs and Rapporteur acting as the lead group or ‘bureau.’ Ireland supports the work of the Committee, as we do all organs of the General Assembly in keeping with our policy of active and constructive membership of the United Nations.

Ireland’s participation in UN Committees or executive boards of bodies and agencies is subject to regular consideration by the Department of Foreign Affairs in consultation with our Permanent Missions to the United Nations, taking into account a range of factors, including the work and significance of the committee or body, the values and interests of our foreign policy, and available resources. Ireland has not applied to join the Special Committee on Decolonization.