Comments by Dermot Ahern T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs on his appointment as Special Envoy for UN Reform

Following today's announcement of his appointment by the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, as Special Envoy for UN Reform, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, said:

“I am deeply honoured to accept this appointment.  I will do my best to fulfil the important mandate that the Secretary-General has given me, and to justify his trust and confidence. 

This appointment is a measure of Ireland's long-standing commitment to the United Nations and of the esteem it enjoys in all sectors of the membership. 

I have accepted this onerous mandate because the United Nations has long been a corner-stone of Ireland's foreign policy.  I believe that the Secretary-General's proposals form an excellent basis for agreement at September's Summit and I will be proud to act as an advocate for them and for a strengthened and enhanced United Nations system.”