Ireland is a strong supporter of the rules-based international order, with the United Nations at its centre, as the most effective means of addressing common threats and the maintenance of international peace and security, the pursuit of economic and social development and the protection and promotion of human rights. Ireland, at the United Nations, seeks to promote effective international action on a range of global issues such as peace and security, disarmament, development, humanitarian action, and human rights. The function of Ireland's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York is to serve as a liaison between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the various instances and Organs of the UN in New York in pursuing these issues and priorities and in line with Ireland’s foreign policy interests and values.

The United Nations has been a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy since we joined the Organisation on 14 December 1955. Ireland takes seriously its obligations under the Charter, and our foreign policy has been framed with these obligations in mind. During the plenary debate at the commencement of the General Assembly each year the Minister for Foreign Affairs has traditionally taken the opportunity to outline the Government’s approach to global problems and to inform Member States of Ireland’s priorities for the year ahead.  

On three occasions Ireland has served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council; in 1962, in 1981-82 and in 2001-02 (and will seek election to a non-permanent seat for the term 2021-22). Ireland has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to international peace and security, not least through continuous participation in United Nation peacekeeping operations by the Defence Forces since 1958. An Garda Síochána (the Irish Police Force) has also provided peacekeeping personnel to the United Nations for many years. Under the UN Standby Arrangements Service (ASAS), Ireland has agreed to maintain a total of 850 personnel available for service on UN or UN-authorised peacekeeping missions.

Ireland plays an active role across the full range of United Nations institutions and is a strong supporter of the UN System of specialised agencies funds and programmes. Irish nationals have had the honour to serve throughout the UN organisation, with distinguished examples including former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, who served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997-2002, and Patricia O’Brien, who has served as Under-Secretar-General for Legal Affairs and UN Legal Counsel since 2008.