When the Minister for Foreign Affairs, David Andrews, was in Lisbon last week to swap notes on Agenda 2000 and how we and the Portuguese can avoid suffering a cut in structural funding, he picked up a few tips on another matter. Ireland is seeking a place on the powerful UN Security Council for the years 2001 and 2002. Elections are in 2000 but we must start the canvass now. Since small Portugal beat off mighty Australia to take one of the two places allocated to the sector labelled "Western Europe And Others", they obviously know how it's done.
We were last on the council (which has five permanent members - Britain, France, the USA, Russia and China - and 10 others), in 1981-82 and want to be there again because of the clout it carries. This time, we have to beat either Turkey or Norway. There are many nations to be canvassed - all UN nations have a vote and, despite having useful experience in getting Mary Robin- son selected as High Commissioner, we need all the help we can get. And what tips did David Andrews pick up? Well, during a lively discussion, the Portuguese told him they won their election in the marginal constituencies - i.e., don't depend on your usual allies.