Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I regularly engage with leaders at the EU, UN and in our bilateral relationships, to ensure a sustained focus on addressing the root causes of conflict and deescalating tensions to avoid the outbreak of conflict. Tackling the root causes of conflict – such as poor governance and inequitable development – is key in order to prevent violence from occurring or escalating and to promote lasting peace. Ireland works to prevent conflict through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and our international development policy. This includes working towards the eradication of hunger and poverty, increasing access to social protection, education and healthcare, strengthening democracies and empowering women and youth.

A focus on conflict prevention and deescalation forms the core rationale for the recent establishment of a Peace and Stability Unit within my Department, which aims to bring Ireland’s development, humanitarian, diplomatic and political work together to support peacebuilding.

A key element of this work is our strong and enduring commitment to effective multilateralism. Our membership of the European Union and the United Nations is critical to maximising our impact on reducing conflict and fragility.

At EU level, Ireland is an active participant and contributor to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, which works globally to support the preservation of peace, the prevention of conflicts and the strengthening of international security. Ireland maintains a sustained focus on conflict prevention and peacebuilding within the EU’s security and defence agenda.

At UN level, Ireland promotes greater investment in methods to prevent conflict and fully supports the United Nations Secretary General’s “New Agenda for Peace”, which calls for renewed focus on and investment in conflict prevention.

Ireland is proud to be among the top donors to the UN Peacebuilding Fund, and welcomed the decision to partially fund the Peacebuilding Fund through assessed contributions to the UN, a milestone for which we had strongly advocated.

Ireland will remain committed to supporting all EU and UN efforts to build safer, more peaceful and more resilient societies.