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Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has described Ireland\u2019s place on the United Nations Security Council as an \u201cenormous responsibility and honor\u201d.<\/p>\nTaoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has described Ireland\u2019s place on the United Nations Security Council as an \u201cenormous responsibility and honor\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ireland officially takes its seat on the Security Council on January 1st for a two-year period.<\/p>\n
This will be Ireland\u2019s fourth time on the UN Security Council, having previously served in 1960, 1980-81 and 2001-02.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin said: \u201cIreland is today taking up our seat on the United Nations Security Council. It is an enormous responsibility and honor to serve for the next two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we stood for election we promised to bring the values of empathy, partnership and independence to bear. They will guide our work now.<\/p>\n
\u201cMembers of the Irish Defense Forces have served under the UN flag with great distinction around the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will bring the same qualities for which they are known \u2013 determination, engagement and fairness \u2013 to the important job that lies ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
The UN flag is to fly at Leinster House for the duration of Ireland\u2019s tenure on the council.<\/p>\n
It joins newly elected members Kenya, India, Mexico and Norway alongside existing elected members Estonia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Niger, Tunisia and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
There are also five permanent members of the Council: China, France, Russia, the UK and the US.<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s areas of responsibility are expected to include humanitarian issues in Syria and West Africa, as well as issues of women, peace and security and climate security.<\/p>\n
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said: \u201cThe United Nations is at the heart of Irish foreign policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether it is through our unbroken record of UN peacekeeping since 1958 or our leading roles in disarmament and non-proliferation, we know what can be achieved when countries work together.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe take our seat on the council at a very challenging time but we are determined to play our part to build the trust and political will necessary to achieve progress in even the most intractable conflicts.<\/p>\n
\u201cMembership of the UN Security Council is an opportunity for Ireland to make a significant international contribution, to strengthen our relations with key partners, and to project our values on the global stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is in keeping with our long-standing tradition of an independent and principled foreign policy and support for the UN.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ireland saw off competition from Canada to secure one of the two \u201cwestern bloc\u201d seats on the council, along with Norway.<\/p>\n
A high-profile campaign saw diplomats invited to a U2 concert at Madison Square Garden in New York.<\/p>\n