IRELAND is to seek election to the UN Security Council, the supreme decision making body of the UN, for a two year period in the year 2000.
The Government's intention to seek one of the 10 non permanent seats on the council was announced in the White Paper on Foreign Policy earlier this year. It was formally announced yesterday by the State's permanent mission to the UN in New York.
Ireland will face stiff competition for the seat, according to the Government. Ireland will require to mount a sustained campaign, at both diplomatic and political level to win the necessary support," it says.
In view of the importance of the Security Council as the major body within the UN system, elections to the council are extremely competitive. All member states of the UN attach major importance within their foreign policy to securing a seat on the council."
There are 15 members of the Security Council, five of which are permanent the US, France, Britain, Russia and China. The 10 non permanent members are elected by the UN General Assembly to serve for two years. Elections are held annually to elect five non permanent members.
If successful, Ireland would serve in 2001 and 2002. The non permanent seats are allocated by regional groupings - five go to African and Asian states, two to Latin American and Caribbean states, two to Western European and Other states (WEOG) and one to Eastern European states. Ireland can expect competition from other WEOG states.
The UN Charter confers on the Security Council the primary responsibility for the maintenance of world peace and security. The council has come under increasing criticism that it is unrepresentative and does not consult sufficiently with the UN membership. Many states, including Ireland, argue that it should be enlarged.
According to the Government, Ireland's candidature "underlines the position consistently held by Ireland that smaller states within the UN system should, on a periodic basis, have the opportunity to serve on the Security Council.
"If elected Ireland's membership would afford it the opportunity to play a full and constructive role at the highest level in the work of the United Nations. It would also focus the attention of the international community on Ireland's foreign policy and its stance on a wide range of international issues coming before the Security Council."
Ireland served on the Security Council for a part term in 1962 and for a full term in 1981-82.