
<rss version="2.0">
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		<title>English</title>
		<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81114</link>
		<description></description>
		<language>en</language>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 16:38:40 UTC</pubDate>
		
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Homepage]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81115</link>
					<description><![CDATA[


Temporary Position at the PMUN - Closing date, 5th June 2013 




WELCOME!


Welcome to the website of the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the
United Nations.We hope you will find it useful and
informative regarding Ireland and its work at the United Nations.
For more than half a century since we joined the Organisation on 14
December 1955, a strong and active commitment to the UN has been a
cornerstone of Ireland’s foreign policy in promoting peace and
security, disarmament, development, humanitarian action and human
rights. If you have any comments or require further information on
Ireland and the United Nations, please do not hesitate to contact
the Permanent Mission. You will also find easy links here to a
number of closely related websites.


________________________________________


St Patricks
Day greetings from the President Michael D. Higgins


________________________________________









President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins with United Nations
Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on World Press Freedom Day, United
Nations, New York, 3 May, 2012.





Mr. EamonGilmore T.D., Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE,
T&#225;naiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland with
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, New York, 9 February
2012.



 


&quot;Panel Discussion at the Irish mission on the Women's Situation
Room in Senegal, 1st November 2012. l-r Ambassador Anne
Anderson; Bineta Diop, President of Femmes Africa Solidarit&#233;;
Elisabeth Rehn, former Finnish Minister for Defence; and Letty
Chiwara, Head of UN Women’s Africa Division&quot;. Full
report here

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 08:09:53 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Job opportunity]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=83164</link>
					<description><![CDATA[

Temporary positions at the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the
United Nations, closing date 5th June, 2013. (PDF
66kb)

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 17:13:55 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[The Economy]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81175</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
The Economy


Ireland is currently facing severe economic challenges and is
addressing these in cooperation with our EU partners and the
International Monetary Fund. Ireland had a period of extraordinary
growth from 1993 to 2007 and had become one of the world’s most
dynamic, innovative and globalised economies, with extensive
external trade and investment links.


In 2008, partly due to the open nature of its economy Ireland began
to feel the effects of the global economic downturn. Pressure on
the economy was significantly accentuated by the end of a prolonged
Irish property market boom and problems within the domestic banking
system. This led to a period of recession in Ireland and a sharp
contraction in economic output.


But Ireland is facing the serious economic downturn from a strong
starting position. Many of the strengths that drove our recent
economic boom and brought unprecedented levels of prosperity, with
growth and GDP per capita among the highest in the European Union,
remain in place. these strengths will position Ireland to take
advantage of the global economic recovery as it emerges.


Ireland’s economic success is generally attributed to its educated
and flexible workforce; its social partnership model, which
involves close cooperation between government, trade unions and
employers; government measures to ensure macroeconomic stability
and to attract foreign investment; and membership of the European
Union, which now provides a market of almost 500 million people.
Ireland is a member of the eurozone.


Ireland continues to be one of the most open economies in the OECD,
and exports are now showing strong growth after a slowdown in
recent years. Ireland has developed a strong entrepreneurial
culture in terms of new businesses being established.


Ireland has a strong track record in attracting investment in
Information Communications Technology (ICT), Life Sciences,
Financial Services and Globally Traded Business (GTB) including
Digital Media, Engineering, Consumer Brands and International
Services. Ireland’s positioning as a ‘smart economy’ continues
apace combining our innovative, enterprise economy with an
ever–increasing emphasis on the emerging areas of Clean/Green
Technologies, Services Innovation and Convergence. Ireland is also
a centre for digital media in Europe with major multinational
companies locating their European headquarters and a range of
business support activities here.



Top of Page


Inward and Outward Investment


Inward investment has been critically important to Ireland’s
economic development, providing tens of thousands of jobs,
disseminating technological know-how and expertise within the wider
economy, linking up with indigenous industry, boosting
productivity, and underpinning export growth. Outward investment by
Irish companies has increased noticeably in recent years, albeit
from a very low historic base. This emerging trend is consistent
with the pattern observed in other economies as they move to higher
stages of economic development.



Top of Page


Education and
Training


Education and Training is a vital component of Ireland’s
knowledge-based economy, and is a priority investment under the
National Development Plan. Ireland enjoys one of the best education
systems in the world, with approximately 1 million people in full
time education.


Top of Page


Innovation and R&amp;amp;D


R&amp;amp;D in Ireland has expanded dramatically in recent years
reflecting the Irish government’s massive injection of funding into
the sector. Leading global companies have found Ireland to be an
excellent location for knowledge-based activities. The young Irish
workforce has shown a particular aptitude for the efficient
collection, interpretation and dissemination of research
information.



Top of Page


Corporation Tax


Since 2003 Ireland’s corporate tax regime has been fixed at a rate
of 12.5%. This applies to all Irish corporate trading profits. A
rate of 25% applies to non-trading (passive) income.


Economic and
Social Research Institute
Central Bank of Ireland



Top of Page


Trade


Ireland’s total trade in 2009 was approximately €270bn; with a
merchandise trade surplus of more than €39 billion. This consists
equally of Merchandise Trade and Services Trade each of which stand
at approx. €130bn. The main merchandise goods traded include
Organic chemicals (mainly for the pharmaceutical sector), Medical
&amp;amp; pharmaceutical products and Computers. The main services
areas are Computer Services, Trade Related Business Services,
Insurance and Financial services.


Ireland’s main trade partners are the United states, Great Britain,
Belgium, Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands.


Top of Page


Industry and Services


The Industrial sector has a highly skilled technological labour
pool. Within this high technology grouping, the most active sectors
currently are life sciences, medical and information technology
sectors. Many of the world’s leading companies have subsidiaries in
Ireland.


The service sector in Ireland accounts for approximately half of
GDP. Just under half of total Irish exports are services, and
Ireland is in the top ten countries worldwide for exports of
commercial services. Throughout the last decade output of services
has grown strongly, largely as a result of growth in financial
services, telecommunications and tourism.


Three agencies deal with industrial development in Ireland.
Forf&#225;s provides overall policy advice and co-ordination for
enterprise development and science, technology and innovation in
Ireland. Enterprise Ireland helps develop Irish-based
enterprise with the potential to trade internationally. IDA
Ireland has responsibility for securing new investment in
manufacturing and internationally traded services. It also has
responsibility to encourage existing Foreign Direct Investors to
expand and develop their businesses in Ireland.


There are also a number of regional development agencies such as
Shannon Development which was set up in 1959 to promote Shannon
International Airport, and &#218;dar&#225;s na Gaeltachta, which is the
regional authority responsible for the economic, social and
cultural development of the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking parts of the
country).











Department of
Enterprise, Trade and Innovation




Forf&#225;s




IDA
Ireland




Enterprise Ireland




Shannon
Development




&#218;dar&#225;s na
Gaeltachta




Intertrade Ireland




Science Foundation
Ireland




Foras &#193;iseanna
Saothair (National Training Authority)






Top of Page


Financial Services


Dublin’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), which was
set up by the Irish Government with EU approval in 1987, is
recognised as a leading location for a range of internationally
traded financial services, including banking, asset financing, fund
management, corporate treasury management, investment management,
custody and administration and specialised insurance operations.
More than430 international operations are approved to trade in the
IFsc, while a further 700 managed entities are approved to carry on
business under the IFSC programme.





Department of
Finance




International
Financial Services Centre




National Treasury
Management Agency






Top of Page


Agriculture


Of the total land area of approximately 7 million hectares (17
million acres), 5 million hectares (12.32 million acres) are
utilised for agricultural purposes (including forestry). Beef and
dairying are by far the most important sectors of the agricultural
industry. The main crops are barley, wheat, potatoes and mushrooms.


The Agri-Food industry makes a significant contribution to the
Irish economy. The combined agri-food and drink sector accounts for
6% of GDP, almost €8bn of exports and accounts for 133,400 jobs. In
particular, the industry plays a major role in the indigenous
sector.











Department
of Agriculture and Food




Bord Bia




Teagasc
(Agriculture &amp;amp; Food Development Authority)




Food Safety Authority
of Ireland






Top of Page


Fishing


The Irish seafood industry provides employment for over 11,000
people. It makes a significant contribution to the economic and
social fabric of the many small communities located in mainly rural
areas or small towns and villages around the 3,172 kilometres of
our coastline.








Department of
Communications, Energy &amp;amp; Natural Resources




Bord Iascaigh
Mhara






Top of Page


Tourism


Approximately 6 million tourists visit Ireland each year, spending
approximately €3.9bn, and sustaining more than 180,000 jobs.
Tourism Ireland was established under the framework of the Good
Friday Agreement 1998 to co-ordinate the work of the two tourist
boards on the island, F&#225;ilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland
Tourist Board.


Ireland’s successful tourism industry is built around the three
themes: Irish people; Irish culture and the physical beauty of the
country.



Top of Page


Radio and Television


The national radio and television service is operated by Radio
Telef&#237;s &#201;ireann (RT&#201;), the public broadcasting company which
transmits on two television and five radio channels. RT&#201; derives
its revenue from licence fees and the sale of advertising time. TV3
is a commercial broadcaster and there are many commercial radio
stations including Today FM and Newstalk. In addition to the wide
availability of British radio and television programming, satellite
broadcasts are achieving an increasing audience.


Irish speakers are served by a dedicated radio channel, Radio na
Gaeltachta (operated by RT&#201;) and by TG4, an independent Irish
language television channel.


The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) was established in 2009
under the Broadcasting Act 2009, as an independent regulator for
radio and television broadcasters in Ireland. The BAI has a range
of objectives and functions and incorporates the work of the
Broadcasting commission of Ireland. the Authority is funded through
a levy on all broadcasters licensed in the state.








Radio Teilf&#237;s
&#201;ireann




TG4




TV3




Today FM




Newstalk




Broadcasting Authority
of Ireland (BAI)






Top of Page


Newspapers


Newspapers have been published in Ireland for over 300 years. Today
there are a number of daily broadsheet and tabloid papers, two
evening newspapers, and five Sunday newspapers. There are also
about 60 local newspapers usually published weekly and a wide
variety of magazines dealing with current affairs, economic issues
and leisure interests.








The Irish
Times




Irish
Independent




Irish
Examiner




Sunday Business
Post




Sunday
Independent




Evening Echo




Press Council
of Ireland (and Press Ombudsman)






Top of Page

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:56:14 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Ireland in Brief]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81169</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
The attached booklet, entitled Ireland in Brief, provides a general
   overview of Ireland's political, economic and cultural
   life. While it is not possible to include every aspect of
   life in Ireland in this short publication, we hope that you will
   discover a little about Ireland and its people.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:54:24 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Ireland in Brief]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81197</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
The attached booklet, entitled Ireland in Brief, provides a general
   overview of Ireland's political, economic and cultural
   life. While it is not possible to include every aspect of
   life in Ireland in this short publication, we hope that you will
   discover a little about Ireland and its people.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:54:24 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Statements]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81189</link>
					<description><![CDATA[

UN Elections: Power, Influence, Reputation - Gannon Lecture
delivered by Ambassador Anne Anderson, Fordham University, 18
April, 2013





Ambassador Anderson delivering Ireland's Statement at
the UN Council debate on Women, Peace and Security, 17th April
2013.



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the Open Debate of the UN Security Council on Women, Peace and
Security: conflict-related sexual violence, New York, 17th April
2013.





Ambassador Anderson pictured giving the Women, Peace
and Security keynote address to open the Dublin Seminar, 5 April
2013



Opening address by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent
Representative, Impact and Innovation: UNSCR 1325 in Ireland and
Globally, Dublin, 5 April 2013.



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative on
the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Arms Trade Treaty,
New York, 2 April 2013.





&quot;Representing the team of Denmark, Ireland and Norway in the first
meeting of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals,
photographed are Ambassador Anderson of Ireland, Ms. Marianne Loe
of Norway adn Mr. Henrik Bramsen Hahn of Denmark.&quot; New York, 14
March 2013.



Statement on behalf of Denmark, Ireland and Norway on the occasion
of the first meeting of the Open Working Group on Sustainable
Development Goals by Ambassador Anderson, Permanent Representative
of Ireland, United Nations Headquarters, New York, 14 March
2013



Statement by Ms. Kathleen Lynch T.D., Minister of State for
Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People at the 57th
Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, United Nations,
New York, 4 March 2013






Statement by Mr. Jim Kelly, Charg&#233; d'Affaires a.i. at the Open
Debate of the Security Council &quot;Protection of Civilians in Armed
Conflict&quot;, New York, 12 February 2013



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the Open Debate of the Security Council &quot;UN Peacekeeping: a
multidimensional approach&quot;, New York, 21 January (PDF 767kb)



Statement by Mr. Jim Kelly, Deputy Permanent Representative, Ad Hoc
Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of Voluntary
Contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA). (PDF 473kb)


Statement
by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at the High
Level Conference 2012 Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), New
York, 11 December 2012 (PDF 360kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the Open Debate of the Security Council on Women, Peace and
Security: &quot;The role of Women's Civil Society Organisations in
Contributing to the Prevention and Resolution of Armed Conflict and
Peacebuilding&quot;, New York, 30 November 2012 (PDF 592kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the Security Council Open Debate, Agenda Item: &quot;Working Methods of
the Security Council&quot;, New York, 26 November 2012. (PDF 448kb)



Statement by Mr. Jim Kelly, Deputy Permanent Representative and
Head of Delegation at the First Committee - Nuclear Weapons
Cluster, Sixty-seventh session of the United Nations General
Assembly, New York, 19 October 2012. (PDF 126kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the 25th plenary meeting on Africa , New Partnership for Africa's
Development, New York, 17 October 2012. (PDF 670kb)



Statement by Mr. Jim Kelly, Deputy Permanent Representative and
Head of Delegation at the Sixty-seventh session of the United
Nations General Assembly First Committee, New York, 16 October,
2012. (PDF 85kb)






Statement by Mr. Eamonn Gilmore, T.D., T&#225;naiste and Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Trade at the United Nations General Assembly
General Debate, 67th Session of the United Nations General
Assembly, New York, 28 September 2012 (PDF 1310kb)



Statement by Mr. Eamonn Gilmore, T.D., T&#225;naiste and Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Trade On Small States and their Role in
International Relations to the Conference on Small States on the
occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Forum of Small States, New
York, 1 October 2012 (PDF 739kb)



Statement by Mr. Jim Kelly, Deputy Permanent Representative at the
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons High-level
meeting Celebrating Fifteen years of the Chemical Weapons
Convention, New York, 1 October 2012 (PDF 309kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the United Nations General Assembly Informal Interactive Dialogue
on the Report of the Secretary-General on the Responsibility to
Protect: Timely and Decisive Response, New York, 5 September 2012
(PDF 432kb)



Statement by Mr. Jim Kelly, Deputy Permanent Representative at the
2012 UN Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of
the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the
Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects,
New York, 27 August 2012 (PDF 45kb)


Statement
by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at the ECOSOC
Humanitarian Segment General Debate, New York 18 July, 2012 (PDF
414kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the General Debate: Conclusions and Recommendations for the QCPR,
New York, 17 July 2012 (PDF 530kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the Open Debate of the Security Council &quot;Post-conflict
Peacebuilding&quot;, New York, 12 July 2012 (PDF 970kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the Thematic Discussion of the High-Level Segment of the
Substantive Session of the Economic and Social Council: &quot;Promoting
Productive Capacity, Employment and Decent Work to Eradicate
Poverty in the Context of Inclusive, Sustainable and Equitable
Economic Growth at all Levels for Achieving the Millennium
Development Goals&quot;, New York, 6 July 2012 (PDF 553kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the United Nations Diplomatic Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty,
New York, 2-27 July, 2012 (PDF 184kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the UNICEF Executive Board Meeting, Annual Report of the Executive
Director, New York, 5 June 2012 (PDF 57kb)



Statement by H.E. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at the
United Nations, New York at the Executive Board of UN Women Annual
Session of 2012. Item 2: Progress made on the UN-Women Strategic
Plan, 2011-2013 (PDF 150kb)



United Nations Association of New York, Panel Discussion: &quot;The Role
of the European Union in Global Affairs&quot;, Intervention by
Ambassador Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative of Ireland, 28
March 2012 (PDF 280kb)



Statement by Ms. Kathleen Lynch, T.D., Minister of State with
responsibility for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older
People to the Fifty-sixth Session of the Commission on the Status
of Women, New York, 29 February 2012 (PDF 49kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the United Nations Security Council debate on Women, Peace and
Security: &quot;Conflict-related sexual violence&quot;, New York, 23 February
2012. (PDF 218kb)






Address by Mr. Eamon Gilmore, T.D., Chairperson-in-Office of the
OSCE, T&#225;naiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of
Ireland to the United Nations Security Council, New York, 9
February, 2012 (PDF 172kb)



Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Jim Kelly to the Ad
Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of
Voluntary Contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), 7 December
2011 (PDF 45kb)



 



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative of
Ireland to the United Nations at the General Assembly debate on the
Annual Report of the Security Council, New York, 8 November 2011
(PDF 50kb)




Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative to
the United Nations Security Council debate on Women, Peace and
Security - &quot;Women's Participation and Role in Conflict Prevention
and Mediation&quot;, New York, 28 October, 2011 (PDF 91kb)


Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative to
the United Nations General Assembly on Agriculture Development and
Food Security, New York, 25 October, 2011 (PDF 483kb)




Address by Mr
Eamon Gilmore T.D., T&#225;naiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and
Trade to the United Nations General Assembly, New York, 26th
September 2011



Statement by Mr. Eamon Gilmore T.D., T&#225;naiste and Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Ministerial Summit on the
Humanitarian Response to the Horn of Africa, New York, 24
September, 2011 (PDF 77kb)


Statement by Mr. Eamon Gilmore T.D., T&#225;naiste
   and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Conference of
   the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), New York, 23
   September, 2011 (PDF 118kb)



Statement by Mr. Eamon Gilmore T.D., T&#225;naiste and Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Trade at the High Level Meeting of the General
Assembly to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of
the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, New York, 22
September, 2011 (PDF 422kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative of
Ireland to the United Nations at the High Level Meeting on Nuclear
Safety and Security, New York, 22 September, 2011 (PDF 47kb)


Statement by Mr. Eamon Gilmore, T&#225;naiste and Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Trade at the High Level Meeting on Libya, New
York, 20 September, 2011 (PDF 112kb)



Address by Dr. James Reilly at the UN High Level Meeting on the
Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, New York,
September, 2011 (PDF 73kb)



Statement by Ms. Anne Webster, Charg&#233; d'Affaires a.i., Security
Council open debate on Maintenance of International Peace and
Security: the Impact of Climate Change, New York, 20 July, 2011
(PDF 787kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the General Assembly interactive debate on &quot;The role of regional
and sub-regional arrangements in implementing the responsibility to
protect&quot;, New York, 12 July 2011 (PDF 724kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative, at
the UN Women Executive Board Meeting, New York, 28 June 2011 (PDF
620kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Annual Session of the Executive Board UNDP
Segment, New York, 6-17 June 2011 (PDF 484kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the United Nations High Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS, New York, 10
June (PDF 691kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
informal meeting of the General Assembly Plenary on the Report of
the Secretary-General entitled &quot;Civilian capacity in the aftermath
of conflict&quot;, New York, 11th May (PDF 711kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the 44th Session of the Commission on Population and Development,
New York, 11th April (PDF 629kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, New
York, 28th February (PDF 802kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the Security Council Open Debate on Women and Peace and Security,
New York, 16 December (PDF 545kb)



Statement on Peacebuilding by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson at the General
Assembly on the Review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture, 29
October (PDF 970kb)



Statement on Peacebuilding by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent
Representative of Ireland made at the Security Council debate on
post-conflict peacebuilding on 13 October (PDF 500kb)



Keynote Address by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative
of Ireland at the 2010 Annual Luncheon of the United Nations
Association of Greater Boston (PDF 1325kb)



Statement by Ms. Mary White, T.D., Minister of State for
Integration, Equality and Human Rights of Ireland. Security Council
Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security. (PDF 585kb) (PDF
585kb) 




Statement by H.E. Ms Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative.
Meeting of the Security Council on Post-conflict peacebuilding.
(PDF 601kb)






National Statement by Mr Miche&#225;l Martin, T.D. Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Ireland to the 2010 United Nations General Assembly High
Level Plenary Meeting on the Millennium Development
Goals.






Taoiseach's remarks at the Presentation of the Hunger Task Force
Report, 25th September 2008, New York.



 


Ireland's Annual Foreign Policy Address to the United Nations
General Assembly


Mr Miche&#225;l Martin, T.D. Minister for Foreign
   Affairs, Ireland addressing the 65th Session of the United
   Nations General Assembly



Mr Peter Power, T.D., Minister of State for Overseas Development,
addressing the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly,
28 September 2009





Mr Miche&#225;l Martin T.D, Minister of Foreign
   Affairs, addressing the 63rd Session of the United Nations
   General Assembly, 29 September 2008





Other Irish Statements delivered at Ministerial Level



3rd May 2010 - Statement by Mr. Miche&#225;l Martin, T.D, Minister of
Foreign Affairs to the Eight Review Conference of the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (PDF 586kb)






25th June 2009 - Statement by Minister of State Peter Power, T.D.,
Minister of State for Overseas Development to the United Nations
Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its
impact on Development



27 February 2008 - Fifty Second Session of the Commission on the
Status of Women, Statement by Minister of State at the Department
of Justice, Equality and Law Reform with Special Responsibility for
Equality Issues



24th September 2007 - Statement by Minister John Gormley, T.D.
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government at the
High Level Event on Climate Change (PDF 130kb)


EU Statements at the UN


All Member States of the European Union work together with the
Council of the EU and the European Commission to prepare and
finalise EU statements, The Member State holding the Presidency
presents the EU position to the United Nations General Assembly in
the form of a Presidency Statement. With the 27-Member Union
speaking in this way with a single voice, on many occasions
individual Member States of the Union decide not to take the floor
additionally to deliver a national statement.Please
   click here for the list of EU Presidency
   statements.


Ireland's National Statements at the UN






28 October 2010 - Statement by Mr. James Kingston, Legal Adviser,
Sixth Committee United Nations General Assembly 65th Session,
Report of the International Law Commission on the work of its 62nd
session. (PDF 1082kb)



2 December 2009 - Statement to the Ad Hoc Committe of the General
Assembly on the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to the UN
Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugess in the Near East,
delivered by H.E. Ambassador Anne Anderson (PDF 346kb)



20 November 2009 - Statement on the Report of the Peacebuilding
Commission and Reports of the Secretary-General on the
Peacebuilding Fund and Peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of
Conflict, delivered by H.E. Ambassador Anne Anderson (PDF
614kb)



11 November 2009 - Statement at Security Council open debate on
Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, delivered by H.E.
Ambassador Anne Anderson (PDF 732kb)



5 October 2009 - Intervention at Security Council debate, delivered
by H.E. Ambassador Anne Anderson (PDF 434kb)



14 September 2009 - Adoption of the General Assembly Resolution on
System-wide Coherence, delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative
of Ireland, Mr Jim Kelly (PDF 257kb)



9 September 2009 - Statement to UNDP Executive Board meeting,
delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland, Mr Jim
Kelly (PDF 580kb)



8 September 2009 - Statement to UNFPA Executive Board Meeting,
delivered by First Secretary Ms Denise McQuade (PDF 439kb)



24 July 2009 - The United Nations General Assembly debate on The
Responsibility to Protect, delivered by H.E. Ambassador Paul
Kavanagh (PDF 25kb)



13 July 2009 - Peacebuilding Commission Organizational Committee
meeting, statement delivered by H.E. Ambassador Paul Kavanagh (PDF
130kb)



4 June 2009 - Friends of Human Security Meeting, statement by
Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland, Mr. Jim Kelly (PDF
129kb)



26 May 2009 - UNDP Executive Board Annual Session, statement made
by Mr. Kevin Dowling (PDF 106kb)



4 May 2009 - Prepatory Committee for the 2010 Review Conference of
the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons, Third Session, General Debate statement made by Ms. Alison
Kelly (PDF 136kb)



29 April 2009 - UN Security Council Debate on Children and Armed
Conflict, statement made by H.E Ambassador Paul Kavanagh (PDF
126kb)



30 March 2009 - United Nations System-Wide Coherence Informal
consultations in the UN General Assembly on Gender Equality and
Women's Empowerment, statement delivered by H.E Ambassador Paul
Kavanagh (PDF 181kb)



18 March 2009 - UN Mine Action Team event at the Convention on
Cluster Munitions, statement delivered by Deputy Permanent
Representative of Ireland, Mr Jim Kelly (PDF 103kb)



13 March 2009 - United Nations System-Wide Coherence Informal
consultations in the UN General Assembly, statement made by H.E
Ambassador Paul Kavanagh (PDF 114kb)


19 February 2009 - UN Security Council Debate on
   Timor-Leste, Statement made by H.E Ambassador Paul
   Kavanagh



4 February 2009 - UNICEF Executive Board - First Regular Session
2009, Statement made by H.E Ambassador Paul Kavanagh



3 February 2009 - Civil Society Forum - Round Table 1: Experiences
of Social Inclusion, Statement made by H.E Ambassador Paul
Kavanagh



26 January 2009 - Joint Meeting of Exectuive Boards of UNDP/UNFPA,
UNICEF and WFP - Agenda Item 3: Harmonisation of UN Funds and
Programmes, Statement made by H.E Ambassador Paul Kavanagh



23 January 2009 - Joint Meeting of Executive Boards of UNDP/UNFPA,
UNICEF and WFP - Agenda Item 2: Unstable Food Prices and the
Linkage with Food and Nutrition Security, Statement made by H.E
Ambassador Paul Kavanagh



16 January 2009 - Tenth Emergency Special Session of the United
Nations General Assembly, Statement made by H.E Ambassador Paul
Kavanagh



10 December 2008 - Ad hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the
announcement of Voluntary Contributions to the United Nations
Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East,
Statement made by Deputy Permanent Representative, Mr. Jim Kelly
(PDF 52kb)



4 December 2008 - High-Level Conference on the Central Emergency
Response Fund (CERF), Statement made by H.E Ambassador Paul
Kavanagh



29 October 2008 - Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and
Security, Statement made by H.E Ambassador Paul Kavanagh on behalf
of the Human Security Network



17 July 2008 - Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed
Conflict, Statement made by H.E Ambassador Paul Kavanagh



19 June 2008 - UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and
Security, Statement made by H.E Ambassador Paul Kavanagh



12 June 2008 - UNGA High-Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS, Statement
made by H.E Ambassador Paul Kavanagh

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:28:32 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Meet Our Staff]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81375</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Meet our Diplomatic Staff


Ms. Anne ANDERSONAmbassador / Permanent
Representative


Tel: +1 212 204-7145


Mr. Jim KELLY
Deputy Permanent Representative


Tel:+1 212 204-7143


Col. Seamus McDermott
Military Advisor


Tel: +1 212 204-7152


Mr. John Gilroy
First Secretary
Human Rights and Social Affairs, Gender Issues, UN General Assembly
(Third Committee)


Tel: +1 212 204-7160


Mr. Patrick DUFFY
First Secretary
Sustainable Development, Environment, UNFPA, UN General Assembly
(Second Committee)


Tel: +1 212 204-7148


Mr. Colm O CONAILL
First Secretary
Security Council issues, Political issues at UN General Assembly
(Fourth Committee), Press Relations


Tel: +1 212 204-7146


Mr. Vincent HERLIHY
First Secretary
Development and Economic Affairs


Tel: +1 212 204-7144


Ms. Nicole MANNION
Second Secretary
Elections Officer, Information Officer, UN General Assembly (Fifth
Committee)


Tel: +1 212 204 -7163


Ms. Edel DWYER
Second Secretary
UN General Assembly (Second Committee), UNICEF, UNFPA, CPD, LDCs,
Health including HIV and AIDS, Migration, Cybersecurity


Tel: +1 212 204-7153


Ms. Sheila BUCKLEY
Administrative Attach&#233;


Tel: +1 212 204-7147

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:42:36 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Legal]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=86449</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Copyright


The material featured on this site is subject to Government
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Disclaimer


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					<pubDate>Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:06:05 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Arts & Culture]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81179</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Ireland’s Culture


Ireland has a rich cultural past and present. The traditional lore
preserved by the early Irish poets has left a colourful heritage of
mythical and historical stories. Modern writers in turn have drawn
on these stories to enrich their own work.



Top of Page


The Irish Language


Most people spoke Irish until the early nineteenth century but by
1891 the majority spoke English only. It is one of the celtic
family of languages and is closely related to scots Gaelic, Welsh
and Breton. Since Independence the state has actively encouraged
the use of Irish and it is the first official language with english
as the second. The latest figures show that 42% of all adults
declare a knowledge of Irish. It is widely spoken in areas known as
the Gaeltacht, situated mainly along the western seaboard.
the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs has
responsibility for promoting the cultural, social and economic
welfare of the Gaeltacht through &#218;dar&#225;s na Gaeltachta
(Gaeltacht Authority). The Irish Language Agency (Foras
na Gaeilge) has responsibility for the promotion and
encouragement of the use of Irish as a vernacular throughout the
island of Ireland. Irish is a core subject in primary and secondary
schools and a growing number of schools offer tuition exclusively
through Irish (Gaelscoileanna). There is an Irish language
national radio service (Raidio na Gaeltachta) and an Irish
language television service (TG4). On 1 January 2007, the
Irish language became the 23rd official language of the European
Union.



Top of Page
 

Irish Literature


Irish writers have long made a significant contribution to world
literature in both the Irish and English languages. Written
literature in the Irish language dates from the sixth century. With
the end of the Gaelic order in the seventeenth century and its
tradition of patronage of poets, Irish writers began to preserve a
   record of the old civilisation. Through the eighteenth and
   nineteenth centuries members of the clergy, teachers and poets
   continued to write in Irish. One of the best known poets of this
   time is Brian Merriman (1747–1805) author of the frequently
   translated C&#250;irt an Mhe&#225;n O&#237;che (Midnight
   court). In the twentieth century writers such as Patrick
   Pearse (1879–1916) and P&#225;draic &#211; Conaire (1882–1928)
   opened Irish literature to European influences.
   Distinguished writers in Irish in the modern period
   include such diverse voices as Liam &#211; Flaitheartaigh
   (1896–1984), Mair&#233;ad N&#237; Ghr&#225;da (1896–1971), M&#225;irt&#237;n &#211;
   Cadhain (1906–70), M&#225;irt&#237;n &#211; Dire&#225;in (1910–88), Se&#225;n &#211;
   R&#237;ord&#225;in (1916–77), Michael Hartnett (1941–99), Cr&#237;ost&#243;ir &#211;
   Floinn (b. 1927), Gabriel Rosenstock (b. 1949), Liam &#211;
   Muirthile (b. 1950), Cathal &#211; Searcaigh (b. 1956) and
   Nuala N&#237; Dhomhnaill (b. 1952). In the english language,
   the satirist Jonathan swift (1667–1745) authored
   Gulliver’s Travels (1726). Oscar Wilde’s
   (1854–1900) plays, prose and poetry continue to be
   performed and read worldwide. Irish nobel laureates
   include the playwright and novelist George Bernard Shaw
   (1856–1950) and the poet and dramatist William
   Butler Yeats (1865–1939), whose work
   inspired the modernrenaissance in Irish
   writing. James Joyce (1882–1941) wrote the
   pioneering modernist novel, Ulysses
   (1922) — widely recognised as one of the
   greatest novels ever written. Joyce inspired
   the work of satirist Brian O’Nolan (Flann
   O’Brien) (1911–66), who also wrote in Irish.
   nobel laureate Samuel Beckett (1906–89) wrote
   in a minimalist vein, often in French. His
   play, Waiting for Godot (1953) has
   become a twentieth century classic of
   absurdism.





The generation of poets after Yeats included very different talents
in Patrick Kavanagh (1904–67). Kavanagh’s example as a poet of
rural realism inspired Seamus Heaney whose vision of the redemptive
power ofpoetry earned him the nobel Prize for Literature in 1995.
Irish fiction continues to be well received — in recent years,
several Irish writers have won the Man Booker Prize including Anne
Enright in 2007, John Banville in 2005 and Roddy Doyle in 1993.
Writers shortlisted for the prize include Colm T&#243;ib&#237;n (1999, 2004
and 2009), Sebastian Barry (2008) and Emma Donoghue (2010). Colum
Mccann's novel, “Let the Great World Spin” won the national Book
Award in the USA in 2009.


Irish theatre companies such as the Abbey, the Druid and the Gate
regularly tour their productions to international venues and host
the work of visiting theatre companies to Ireland.






Top of Page


Art


The earliest Irish art consists of carvings on megalithic monuments
dating from 3500 B.C. Celtic art reached its apogee in the
manuscripts of the gospels such as the books of Durrow and Kells.
After the ninth century Irish art absorbed Viking, Romanesque and
Gothic influences producing, for example, richly carved stone High
Crosses.


From the mid-seventeenth century decorative arts such as
goldsmithery, plasterwork and glass flourished in conjunction with
the large-scale public buildings of the time. In the late
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Irish painters looked to
the French Impressionists for a new idiom. These include William
Leech(1881–1968), Walter osborne (1859–1903), John Lavery
(1856–1941) and Roderic O’Conor (1860–1940). Crossing from
Impressionism to Expressionism, Jack B. Yeats (1871–1957) towers
over his contemporaries much as his brother, the poet W.B. Yeats,
was pre-eminent among his peers.



Other artists, working in an abstract expressionist mode, include
Louis le Brocquy, Norah McGuinness (1901–80) and Patrick Scott. A
strong new expressionist movement emerged in the late twentieth
century including Brian Maguire, Eithne Jordan, Michael Mulcahy,
Michael Cullen, Dorothy Cross and Alice Maher.


Sculpture in the nineteenth century was heroic and monumental as
exemplified by the statues of Oliver Goldsmith and Edmund Burke by
John Henry Foley (1819–1974) outside Trinity College, Dublin. This
tradition continued into the twentieth century with the works of
Oisin Kelly (1915–81), Seamus Murphy (1907–74) and Hilary Heron
(1923–77) pioneering the use of new casting techniques and
promoting the concept of an Irish vernacular sculpture.
Contemporary sculpture is more abstract and witty as can be seen in
the diverse work of Edward Delany (1930–2009), John Behan, Michael
Warren, Eilis O’Connell, Kathy Prendergast and Eileen MacDonagh.





Department of Arts,
Heritage and the Gaeltacht




Department of
Environment,and Local Government




Culture
Ireland




&#218;dar&#225;s na
Gaeltachta




The Arts
Council




Crafts Council of
Ireland




Ireland
Literature Exchange






Top of Page


Architecture


The earliest examples of architecture visible in Ireland today are
megalithic tombs (3500–2000 B.c.). these include dolmens (three
ormore standing stones supporting
   one or two capstones) and passage graves such as Newgrange.
   Stone Age techniques survived into the twelfth century and are
   still visible in the beehive structure of early churches and
   monasteries such as those on Skellig Michael and Gallarus
   Oratory in County Kerry. During the Iron Age (after 500 B.c.)
   large circular stone forts were built, usually on hilltops such
   as Dun Aengus on the Aran Islands.


The Round tower is almost exclusive to Ireland and is found in many
parts of the country. Built from the tenth to the twelfth centuries
on monastic sites, the most notable being at Clonmacnoise in County
Offaly, round towers were frequently more than 30 metres high.
Their primary purpose seems to have been to serve as bell towers
although the raised level of the doorway would suggest they may
also have had defensive uses.


After this period, Romanesque architecture with its intricate
andornate carved stonework influenced the shape of Irish churches,
the finest examples being Cormac’s Chapel on the Rock of Cashel in
County Tipperary and Clonfert Cathedral in County Galway. The
arrival of the Anglo-Normans heralded the introduction of the early
Gothic style of architecture, with the two Dublin cathedrals,
Christ Church and Saint Patrick’s, being the most notable. The
Normans built substantial castles with large rectangular keeps,
many of which, like Trim in County Meath and Carrickfergus in
County Antrim, still figure on the landscape. The fifteenth century
castle at Cahir in County Tipperary is the most impressive of the
surviving feudal strongholds.





Classical buildings date from the late seventeenth century. At the
turn of the eighteenth century Palladian mansions were emulating
Italian palazzos, but by the end of the century, this style had
given way to neo-classicism and Dublin became an outstanding
example of Georgian architecture. Key buildings from this period
include the Custom House and the Four Courts in Dublin, with their
distinctive copper domes, designed by James Gandon (1743–1823). By
the nineteenth century Gothic revivalism was in vogue influencing
the design of churches such as Saint Finn Barre’s Cathedral (1867)
in Cork and adapted to domestic architecture in the construction of
Ashford Castle (c.1870), County Mayo.



Topof Page


Music


Music has always been an important part of Irish culture, from the
traditional accompaniment to festivals and funerals in the form of
playing and ballad singing, to Irish dancing which is very much
alive in Irish communities around the world. The harp was the
dominant instrument in early historical times. One of the earliest
Irish composers whose work survives is Turlough O’Carolan
(1670–1738), the blind harpist and one of the last of the ancient
bardic tradition.


There is also a classical tradition in the forms pioneered by
otherEuropean composers. Eighteenth
   century Dublin was an important musical centre and Handel chose
   to premiere his Messiah there in 1742. In the twentieth
   century traditional Irish music inspired modern composers such
   as Se&#225;n &#211; Riada (1931–71). Count John McCormack (1884–1945) was
   a world famous Irish tenor.


Traditional Irish music is now popular in many countries through
the influence of groups as diverse as Clannad, the Chieftains,
Altan, Dervish, L&#250;nasa and An&#250;na, all of whom perform in a modern
context without compromising the integrity of the original sound.
Reflecting this versatility is the phenomenon of Riverdance,
with music composed by Bill Whelan, combining the best of Irish
song, music and dance. Comhaltas Ceolt&#243;ir&#237; &#201;ireann plays a
prominent part in the development and preservation of Irish
traditional music and dance.


On the jazz scene guitarist Louis Stewart has played with leading
international musicians. Bands such as U2 and Westlife are famous
at home and abroad, as are individual singers such as Van Morrison,
Sin&#233;ad O’Connor and Enya.


There are three full–time professional orchestras performing in
Ireland. The national opera company was founded in 2010 forged from
two state-funded companies, Opera Ireland and Opera Theatre
Company. There is also a wealth of individual classical musical
talent such as the well known pianist John O’Conor and singers Ann
Murray and Suzanne Murphy.



Top of Page


Film


Films have been made in and about Ireland since the Lumi&#233;re
Brothers filmed in Sackville (now O’Connell) Street in 1897.
In 1910 the American, Sidney Olcott, filmed The Lad from Old
Ireland in New York and Kerry, the first film ever made on two
continents. Ireland has since played host to many international
directors — Alfred Hitchcock, John Ford, Francis Ford Coppola, John
Huston and Steven Spielberg.


Throughout the last century Irish film makers were prolific in
theirproduction of amateur films, newsreels, documentaries
and informational films. It was not until the 1970s however that a
new wave of indigenously produced fiction films began to provide a
striking alternative to foreign produced representations of
Ireland.


The work of Irish producers, directors and screen writers is
facilitated by the Irish Film Board who fund production and
distribution of feature films, shorts, animated films and Irish
language productions. Irish films have enjoyed international
acclaim such as Michael Collins (Neil Jordan 1996), I
Went Down (Paddy Breathnach 1997), The General (John
Boorman 1998), The Wind That Shakes The Barley (Ken Loach
2006) winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes, and Once (John
Carney 2006), winner of an Academy Award for best original song.


Annual film festivals in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast showcase
Irish and international films while a year–round venue for art
house cinema is provided at the Irish Film Centre in Dublin, the
Kino in Cork and the town Hall in Galway. The Irish animator,
Richard Baneham, won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and a
BAFTA Award for special Visual effects for his work on Avatar,
2010.





The National
Theatre Society




National Concert
Hall




National
Archives




Irish Museum of
Modern Art




National
Gallery of Ireland




National Library of
Ireland




National Museum of
Ireland




Chester Beatty
Library




Irish Research
Council for the Humanities &amp;amp; Social Studies




An
Chomhairle Leabharlanna




Bord Scann&#225;n na
h&#201;ireann






Top of Page


Sport


Among the most popular sports are Ireland’s traditional games,
gaelic football, hurling and camogie, which are played almost
exclusively in Ireland and in Irish communities abroad. Games in
the All-Ireland hurling and football championships attract large
attendances throughout the summer months culminating in the finals,
the highlight of Ireland’s sporting year, which are held in Croke
Park in Dublin.





Soccer is popular at all ages from school to senior level in
domestic competitions. the Irish International team, which plays as
the Republic of Ireland, has over the past number of years enjoyed
some success and is well supported by enthusiastic and friendly
fans.


Rugby football is popular in Ireland at international, club and
schools level. The sport is managed by the Irish Rugby Football
Union (IRFU). Ireland competes in the international annual Six
Nations Championship, winning the tournament in 2009.





Ireland has a strong reputation for field sports such as shooting,
fishing and also for equestrian events, show jumping and horse
racing. The Irish bloodstock industry is considered one of the
finest in the world.


As Ireland has over 3,000 kilometres of coastline and numerous
inland waterways, sailing and boating are long-established sports.
A wide range of marine leisure activities such as fishing,
water-skiing, canoeing, wind-surfing, diving and swimming are also
pursued.





Over 400 golf courses offer facilities through the country.
All-Ireland teams compete in international amateur golfing
competitions with the major Irish tournaments on the international
professional circuit being the Irish Open and the Smurfit European
Open. The Ryder Cup was held in Ireland in 2006, with top
Irish golfers P&#225;draig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley
contributing to the European team’s victory over the United States.
Harrington later went on to become a three times ‘Majors’ winner,
winning the British open championship in July 2007 and in 2008, and
the US PGA in 2008.


Ireland has a history of successfully hosting prestigious sporting
events and hosted the special olympics in June 2003. This was the
largest sporting event ever to take place in Ireland. Over 7,000
special athletes from 160 countries came to Ireland to participate
in this unique sporting achievement.








Irish
Sports Council




Football Association
of Ireland




Irish Rugby Football
Union




Gaelic Association of
Ireland




Horse
Racing Ireland




Golfing Union of
Ireland




Special
Olympics Ireland




Olympic
Council of Ireland






Top of Page

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:51:11 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Visits and Events]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=82191</link>
					<description><![CDATA[   






Ambassador Anderson and staff of the Permanent Mission of
Ireland to the United Nations pictured following Ireland's
successful election to the Human Rights Council 2013.







&quot;Panel Discussion at the Irish mission
on the Women's Situation Room in Senegal, 1st November
2012. l-r Ambassador
Anne Anderson; Bineta Diop, President of Femmes Africa Solidarit&#233;;
Elisabeth Rehn, former Finnish Minister for Defence; and Letty
Chiwara, Head of UN Women’s Africa
Division&quot;.


Summary


Women’s Civil Society Organisations in Early Warning &amp;amp;
Preventing Conflict: Panel Discussion on the Women’s Situation Room
in Senegal Hosted by the Permanent Mission of Ireland, the
Permanent Mission of Finland, and Femmes Africa Solidarit&#233; 1st
November 2012


The Women’s Situation Room (WSR) and its success in preventing
violence during the Senegalese elections at the start of this year
was the subject of a panel discussion held at the Permanent Mission
of Ireland.


Bineta Diop, the founder and President of Femmes Africa Solidarit&#233;,
described how establishing the situation room had mobilised a
critical mass of women, including those within political parties,
and how, in partnership with other groups such as young people,
these women were able to pressure the two main parties in conflict
while foregrounding the women’s agenda. Letty Chiwara, Head of UN
Women’s Africa Division, spoke about the importance of replicating
successes such as the Women’s Situation Room and of learning and
applying lessons identified from analysing election violence.


Elisabeth Rehn, former Finnish Minister for Defence and
international expert in women, peace and security issues, moderated
a discussion that saw diverse questions arising, including on how
the WSR stayed apolitical and neutral; how to use and sustain the
WSR network during non-election periods; and whether the UN should
reconsider its policy of not advocating quota systems for female
politicians.


The Permanent Representative of Ireland, Ambassador Anne Anderson,
described the WSR as a great example of a grassroots initiative to
empower women peace builders to proactively get involved in
preventing conflict. Concluding the discussion, Ambassador Anderson
emphasised the need to form alliances between women’s groups and
others, such as young people, in order to reinforce and amplify
each other’s voices. It was also critical to document and
disseminate, as UN Women does, individual initiatives in different
countries to transform single, anecdotal experiences into
mainstream policy at the AU, the UN and elsewhere



Women's Civil Society Organisations in Early Warning &amp;amp;
Preventing Conflict: Panel Discussion on the Women's Situation Room
in Senegal. Hosted by the Permanent Mission of Ireland, the
Permanent Mission of Finland, and Femmes Africa Solidarit&#233;. (PDF
151kb)






President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins with United Nations
Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on World Press Freedom Day, United
Nations, New York, 3 May, 2012. Remarks click here:



United Nations Association of New York, Panel Discussion: &quot;The Role
of the European Union in Global Affairs&quot;, Intervention by
Ambassador Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative of Ireland, 28
March 2012 (PDF 280kb)


H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative of
Ireland, and Ms. Patricia O'Brien, Legal Counsel of the United
Nations, at the ceremony of signature by Ireland of the Optional
Protocol to the International Convenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights, at the United Nations New York on 23 March,
2012



 



&quot;Gender and Nutrition: Supporting Rural Women to improve
Nutrition&quot;. Event co-hosted by Ireland and Malawi at the Permanent
Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, New York, 1 March 2012.
(PDF 383kb)



Statement by Ms. Kathleen Lynch, T.D., Minister of State with
responsibility for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older
People to the Fifty-sixth Session of the Commission on the Status
of Women, New York, 29 February 2012 (PDF 49kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the United Nations Security Council debate on Women, Peace and
Security: &quot;Conflict-related sexual violence&quot;, New York, 23 February
2012. (PDF 218kb)






Address by Mr. Eamon Gilmore, T.D., Chairperson-in-Office of the
OSCE, T&#225;naiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of
Ireland to the United Nations Security Council, New York, 9
February, 2012 (PDF 172kb)


Deputy Permanent Representative Jim Kelly and Ambassador Jean
Wesley at the Signature of diplomatic relations between Ireland and
Haiti, 26 January 2012





Deposition on behalf of Eamon Gilmore, T&#225;naiste and Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Trade of Declaration by Ireland accepting the
compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, 12
December 2011






Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Jim Kelly to the Ad
Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of
Voluntary Contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), 7 December
2011 (PDF 45kb)



 



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative of
Ireland to the United Nations at the General Assembly debate on the
Annual Report of the Security Council, New York, 8 November 2011
(PDF 50kb)




Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative to
the United Nations Security Council debate on Women, Peace and
Security - &quot;Women's Participation and Role in Conflict Prevention
and Mediation&quot;, New York, 28 October, 2011 (PDF 91kb)


Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative to
the United Nations General Assembly on Agriculture Development and
Food Security, New York, 25 October, 2011 (PDF 483kb)




Address by Mr
Eamon Gilmore T.D., T&#225;naiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and
Trade to the United Nations General Assembly, New York, 26th
September 2011



Statement by Mr. Eamon Gilmore T.D., T&#225;naiste and Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Ministerial Summit on the
Humanitarian Response to the Horn of Africa, New York, 24
September, 2011 (PDF 77kb)


Statement by Mr. Eamon Gilmore T.D., T&#225;naiste
    and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Conference of
    the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), New York, 23
    September, 2011 (PDF 118kb)



Statement by Mr. Eamon Gilmore T.D., T&#225;naiste and Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Trade at the High Level Meeting of the General
Assembly to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of
the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, New York, 22
September, 2011 (PDF 422kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative of
Ireland to the United Nations at the High Level Meeting on Nuclear
Safety and Security, New York, 22 September, 2011 (PDF 47kb)


Statement by Mr. Eamon Gilmore, T&#225;naiste and Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Trade at the High Level Meeting on Libya, New
York, 20 September, 2011 (PDF 112kb)



Address by Dr. James Reilly at the UN High Level Meeting on the
Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, New York,
September, 2011 (PDF 73kb)



Statement by Ms. Anne Webster, Charg&#233; d'Affaires a.i., Security
Council open debate on Maintenance of International Peace and
Security: the Impact of Climate Change, New York, 20 July, 2011
(PDF 787kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the General Assembly interactive debate on &quot;The role of regional
and sub-regional arrangements in implementing the responsibility to
protect&quot;, New York, 12 July 2011 (PDF 724kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative, at
the UN Women Executive Board Meeting, New York, 28 June 2011 (PDF
620kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Annual Session of the Executive Board UNDP
Segment, New York, 6-17 June 2011 (PDF 484kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the United Nations High Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS, New York, 10
June (PDF 691kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
informal meeting of the General Assembly Plenary on the Report of
the Secretary-General entitled &quot;Civilian capacity in the aftermath
of conflict&quot;, New York, 11th May (PDF 711kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the 44th Session of the Commission on Population and Development,
New York, 11th April (PDF 629kb)



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, New
York, 28th February (PDF 802kb)

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 23:42:30 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[The Irish State]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81170</link>
					<description><![CDATA[


Name of State



Island of Ireland



Language



Flag



Emblem



Anthem



The National Day



Government



Political Parties



Local Government



The Courts



Police &amp;amp; Defence Forces



Name of State


The Irish constitution provides that the name of the state is
&#201;ire or in the english language, Ireland.




Top of Page


Island of Ireland


The geographical island of Ireland consists of the sovereign
independent state of Ireland comprising 26 counties, and the six
counties of northern Ireland to the north-east of the island, which
are governed by a power-sharing Executive and Assembly as
established under the Good Friday Agreement.



Top of Page


Language


Article 8 of the Irish Constitution makes the following
affirmation:



The Irish language as the national language is the first official
language.


The English language is recognised as a second official language.



More information about the Irish Language, is availablein the
Schools Project Corner .



Top of Page


Flag


The national flag is a tricolour of
   green, white and orange.



Top of Page


Emblem


The harp has been regarded as the
   official symbol or coat of arms of Ireland since medieval times.
   The heraldic harp is used by the Government, its agencies and
   its representatives at home and abroad. It is engraved on the
   seal matrix of the Office of the President as well as on the
   obverse of Irish euro coins.


 
Top of Page


Anthem


Amhr&#225;n na bhFiann (Soldier’s Song) is the Irish national
Anthem.



Top of Page


The National Day


saint Patrick’s Day, 17 March, is the national Day. tradition holds
that the use of the shamrock by Saint Patrick when preaching in
Ireland led to its adoption as an Irish symbol.


St Patricks
Day Festival



Top of Page


Government


Ireland is a parliamentary democracy. Its law is based on common
Law and legislation enacted by the Oireachtas (Irish
Parliament) under the constitution. In addition, regulations and
directives enacted by the European Union have the force of law in
Ireland.


The constitution of Ireland sets out the form of government and
defines the powers and functions of the President, both Houses of
the Oireachtas and the Government. It also defines the
structures and the powers of the courts and outlines the
fundamental rights of citizens. The definition of rights covers
five broad headings: Personal Rights, The Family, Education,
Private Property and Religion





Government of
Ireland




President of
Ireland




Fine Gael




Labour




Fianna F&#225;il




Sinn F&#233;in




Irish
Government News Service









Top of Page


Local Government


The local government system is administered by 114 local
authorities and is undergoing a process of renewal and reform.


The services provided by the local authorities include: housing and
building, road transportation and safety, water supply and
sewerage, development incentives and controls, environmental
protection and waste management, recreation and amenity, education,
health and welfare, and miscellaneous services.


Local government is funded partly by central government and partly
by local sources including motor tax proceeds, rates (on commercial
property) and local charges such as environmental waste charges,
rents etc.


Department of the
Environment, Communityand Local Government



Top of Page


The Courts


Irish law is based on common Law as modified by subsequent
legislation and by the constitution of 1937. In accordance with the
constitution, justice is administered in public by courts
established by law. The President appoints judges on the advice of
the Government.





Department of
Justice and Law Reform




Irish Courts
Service




Director of
Public Prosecutions




Office of
the Attorney General





Top of Page 


Police and Defence Forces


The national police force, An Garda S&#237;och&#225;na, was
established in 1922. The general direction, management and control
of the service is, subject to regulations made by the Minister for
Justice and Law Reform, vested in a commissioner appointed by the
Government.


An Garda S&#237;och&#225;na is unarmed with the exception of some
specialized units. Since 1989, An Garda S&#237;och&#225;na have served
in numerous United Nations (UN) missions around the world. They
have also served under the EU flag in the former Yugoslavia,
Macedonia and Eastern Slavonia and have provided monitors for the
South African and Palestinian elections.


The Permanent Defence Forces, which include the regular Army, Naval
Service and Air Corps, operate under the auspices of the Department
of Defence. The Department is also responsible for the general
planning, organisation and co-ordination of Civil Defence measures.
Recruitment is voluntary. The Defence Forces have extensive
peacekeeping experience and have served under UN mandate in UN, EU
and NATO led peace support operations all over the world since
1958.





Department of
Justice andEquality




Garda S&#237;och&#225;na
(Irish Police)




Garda
Ombudsman




Department of
Defence




Irish Defence
Forces







Top of Page

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:45:59 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Disarmament and Non-Proliferation]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81380</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
The promotion of disarmament and non-proliferation remains a core
activity for the United Nations and a priority for Ireland. Our
national policy on disarmament and non-proliferation advocates the
total elimination of nuclear weapons and the prevention of further
proliferation of nuclear weapons capability, a complete ban on the
use of cluster munitions, greater controls on the trade in small
arms and light weapons and the implementation and strengthening of
treaties banning the use, stockpiling production and transfer of
chemical and biological weapons.


Disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons have
historically been key foreign policy objectives for Ireland. At the
United Nations in 1958, Ireland launched the process which
ultimately led to the conclusion of the nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT) to which Ireland was the first signatory. More
recently, in 2008, Ireland drove forward efforts to secure a ban on
cluster munitions that culminated in the adoption in May 2008 in
Dublin of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, a comprehensive,
immediate and unconditional ban on all cluster munitions that cause
unacceptable harm to civilians.


The Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN in New York strongly
supports the work of the Political Division of the Department of
Foreign Affairs by advancing Ireland’s policy on disarmament and
non-proliferation at the United Nations. In 2012, the Mission
will play an active role in Ireland's participation in the July
Conference to negotiate an Arms Trade Treaty, and will lead
Ireland's participation in August/September in the Review
Conference on the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light
Weapons.


The Mission is alsoclosely engaged in discussion of
disarmament and non-proliferation issues at the annual meetings of
the First Committee of the General Assembly and the UN Disarmament
Commission. PMUN liaises closely on these issues with our
sister Mission to the UN in Geneva, which is home to the Conference
on Disarmament, and Vienna, where the International Atomic Energy
Agency is located.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Thu, 31 May 2012 22:01:13 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Human Rights at the UN]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81385</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Ireland has a strong human rights record and plays a leading role
in international human rights fora. Human rights are central to our
foreign policy. Ireland strongly supports, both politically and
financially, the work of the United Nations in the field of human
rights. Ireland regards the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights as crucial to the functioning of the United
Nations. Ireland is in the top ten offinancial
contributors to the Office on a per capita basis.


Ireland is firmly committed to the principle that all human rights
are universal and indivisible. We promote human rights in our
bilateral relations with other countries and, with our partners in
the European Union, continually monitor the human rights situation
in many countries throughout the world.


We believe that the international community has an obligation to
act when it has concerns in relation to human rights abuses, and
that these concerns should be pursued whenever possible in a
constructive spirit of cooperation and dialogue, conscious of the
responsibility of all Governments to promote and protect human
rights. Respect for human rights is central to the preservation of
peace and the promotion of development. Ireland is committed to the
active promotion and full observance of universal human rights
standards, at home and abroad.


At UN headquarters in New York, Ireland participates actively, both
nationally and through the European Union, in the work of the human
rights fora, with a priority focus on the Third Committee of the
General Assembly. The Third Committee’s work includes the
examination of human rights questions, including reports of the
special procedures of the Geneva-based Human Rights Council. The
Committee also discusses the advancement of women, the protection
of children, indigenous issues, the treatment of refugees, the
promotion of fundamental freedoms through the elimination of racism
and racial discrimination, and the promotion of the right to
self-determination. Ireland also participates actively in the
human rights-related work of the sub-commissions of the Economic
and Social Council (ECOSOC), especially the work of the Commission
on the Status of Women (CSW) with its focus on gender equality,
women’s rights and the empowerment of women.


The Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN in New York also works
closely with the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN in Geneva
on human rights issues as the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Human Rights Council are based in
Geneva.


Candidacy for membership of the Human Rights Council,
2013-2015


In 2006, Ireland declared its intention to seek membership of the
Human Rights Council at elections which will take place in
2012. If elected, Ireland will be a Human Rights Council
member from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2015.We hope
to be afforded the opportunity to contribute to a strong and
dynamic Human Rights Council that can play a real and meaningful
role in the promotion and protection of human rights
worldwide.With this goal in mind, Ireland has committed
to the following voluntary pledges and commitments. Links to
pledges and commitments here:



Arabic Language version (PDF 162kb)



Chinese Language version (PDF 195kb)



English Language version (PDF 52kb)



French Language version (PDF 60kb)



Russian Language version (PDF 220kb)



Spanish Language version (PDF 146kb)

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2012 21:03:51 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[2010]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=87784</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
2010


Past Events



Statement by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative at
the Security Council Open Debate on Women and Peace and Security,
New York, 16 December (PDF 545kb)



Statement on Peacebuilding by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson at the General
Assembly on the Review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture, 29
October (PDF 970kb)



Statement on Peacebuilding by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent
Representative of Ireland made at the Security Council debate on
post-conflict peacebuilding on 13 October (PDF 500kb)



Keynote Address by H.E. Ms. Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative
of Ireland at the 2010 Annual Luncheon of the United Nations
Association of Greater Boston (PDF 1325kb)



Statement by Ms. Mary White, T.D., Minister of State for
Integration, Equality and Human Rights of Ireland. Security Council
Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security. (PDF 585kb) (PDF
585kb) 




Statement by H.E. Ms Anne Anderson, Permanent Representative.
Meeting of the Security Council on Post-conflict peacebuilding.
(PDF 601kb)






National Statement by Mr Miche&#225;l Martin, T.D. Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Ireland to the 2010 United Nations General Assembly High
Level Plenary Meeting on the Millennium Development
Goals.





25 October 2010: Presentation of Report on 1325
Cross-Learning Initiative.


 



Address by Minister Mary White (PDF 337kb); 
Address by Ms. Bronagh Hinds (PDF 346kb); 
Address by Nuala O'Loan (PDF 738kb)


September 2010:&quot;1000 Days:
Change a Life, Change the Future&quot; event hosted by the US and Irish
Governments in New York. Click here








19th July 2010 - Handover of the UN Peacebuilding
Commission Report





The Co-facilitators of the 2010 Review of the UN Peacebuilding
Commission, Ambassador Anderson (Permanent Representative of
Ireland to the UN), Ambassador Heller (Permanent Representative of
Mexico to the UN) and Ambassador Sangqu (Permanent Representative
of South Africa to the UN), handing over their Report to Mr Jamal
Benomar, the Chef de Cabinet of the President of the General
Assembly, on 19 July 2010.











The Co-facilitators of the 2010 Review of the UN Peacebuilding
Commission, Ambassador Anderson (Permanent Representative of
Ireland to the UN), Ambassador Heller (Permanent Representative of
Mexico to the UN) and Ambassador Sangqu (Permanent Representative
of South Africa to the UN), handing over their Report to the
President of the Security Council, Ambassador Ogwu (Permanent
Representative of Nigeria to the UN), on 19 July 2010.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 22:43:54 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Development, Economic and Humanitarian Issues]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81381</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Economic issues


The Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations in New York
participates actively in the debates, conferences and other events
related to economic issues which take place in the General Assembly
throughout the year. Ireland co-ordinates with its EU partners on
many of these issues and, where appropriate co-sponsors resolutions
with other Member States of the General Assembly. The Second
Committee is the principal centre of discussion and agreement upon
resolutions relating to economic issues.


Development issues


Ireland has had an official development assistance programme since
1974. The Irish Government is committed to reaching the United
Nation’s target of spending 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) on
official Development Assistance by 2012.


Irish Aid is the Government of Ireland’s programme of assistance to
developing countries. The Irish Aid programme has as its absolute
priority the reduction of poverty, inequality and exclusion in
developing countries. Irish Aid works in cooperation with
governments in other countries, other donors, NGOs and
international organisations, as part of the global effort to
achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These targets,
agreed by the UN at a series of international summit meetings,
identify some of the main causes of extreme poverty in today’s
world and underpin the poverty reduction policies and activities of
Irish Aid, and provide the context in which Irish Aid priority
sectors are decided. These include education, health, agriculture
and food security, water and sanitation, infrastructure and roads,
trade, and good governance. Recognising that each sector cannot be
tackled in isolation, Irish Aid's programme incorporates
cross-sectoral strategies on gender, governance, HIV/AIDS, and the
environment into all of its development activities.


Since its inception in 1974, the Irish Aid programme has had a
strong geographic focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. Approximately 80% of
Ireland’s Overseas Development Aid goes to Africa. Under the
bilateral part of its programme, Irish Aid operates intensive and
wide-ranging country programmes in seven countries in Africa,
namely Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia, Uganda and
Malawi. Timor-Leste and Vietnam, both in Asia, are Ireland’s
remaining programme countries.


Based on its own experience, and that of others, Irish Aid has
identified four priority issues integral to poverty reduction,
where attention must focus in order to increase the impact of
poverty reduction, development effectiveness and quality assurance.
These priority issues are: Gender
Equality, HIV/AIDS,
Environmental
Sustainability and Good
Governance. The White Paper on Irish Aid, published in
September 2006, provides an overview of the principles that
underpin the aid programme. It clearly sets forth the vision of the
expansion of the programme, provides a framework to guide future
expenditure and offers a clear benchmark against which Ireland’s
performance can be measured. (link to White Paper: http://www.irishaid.gov.ie/whitepaper/
).


A review of the White Paper was announced in June 2011, following a
commitment set down in the current Programme for Government [hyperlink
   included]. The review is looking at the progress made by Irish
   Aid, and the changing national and international context. It
   will shape the policy direction for the coming years. The review
   will consist of a broad consultation with all stakeholders,
   including the general public, civil society, partner countries,
   the private sector and the Oireachtas (National Parliament).
   Download the consultation paper here
   (hyperlink included) and click
   here for the latest news on the review.


In pursuit of these objectives, the Permanent Mission of Ireland to
the United Nations in New York works closely with the funds and
programmes which are headquartered in New York e.g. UNDP, UNICEF,
and UNFPA to support activities by these organisations in the
field, with a particular emphasis on work in the programme
countries above.


Humanitarian issues


Each year natural disasters and complex emergencies bring suffering
to millions of people across the world. Hurricanes, earthquakes and
other natural disasters alone claim an average of 60,000 lives each
year. Irish Aid has as one of its key priorities the
provision of support for developing countries suffering from
natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies. A
significant proportion of Ireland’s assistance is channelled
through the UN system, including through bodies such as UNICEF, and
through the Central Emergency Response Fund, CERF.


The CERF is a stand-by fund established by the United Nations in
2005 to enable more timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to
those affected by natural disasters and armed conflicts. The
CERF allows the UN to react immediately when a disaster strikes by
making funding available for life-saving activities to eligible
agencies such as the UN and its funds, programmes, and specialized
agencies and the International Organization for Migration
(IOM). The CERF is managed, on behalf of the United Nations
Secretary-General, by the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) who is
also the Head of the UN’s Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Ireland has been a strong supporter of
the CERF since its establishment.


The Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations in New York
works closely with OCHA on matters related to the CERF and on the
broader humanitarian agenda and with UNICEF and UNFPA on their
humanitarian operations. Ireland’s aim in such work is to
support the UN system in delivering assistance to victims of
humanitarian emergencies.


The Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations in New York
is an active member of working groups dedicated to the
consideration of humanitarian affairs. These are the OCHA
Donor Support Group and the Humanitarian Liaison Working Group
(HLWG). In 2011, the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the
United Nations chaired the HLWG - a working group of Member States,
UN agencies and others on current crisis and strategic themes.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:23:32 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[UN Peacekeeping Operations]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81379</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Irish Defence Forces


Ireland became a member of the United Nations in 1955 and,
commencing in 1958, the Defence Forces have had a continuous
presence and established a proud tradition of successful
participation on UN Peace Support Operations, initially in the
Middle East and Africaand subsequently throughout the world.
Decisions as to Ireland’s participation in UN or
UN- mandated Missions are made by the Government on a case-by-case
basis, based on the existence of a UN Mandate, Government approval
and the approval of the D&#225;il, known as the “triple lock”
system. UN authorisation is the key factor that informs the
Government’s decision in the event of a request for Defence Forces
participation by the UN. Irish military personnel have
contributed over 56,000 individual missions to over 54 different UN
peacekeeping operations to date, including in Central America,
Russia, Georgia, the former Yugoslavia, Cambodia, Lebanon, Iran,
Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Angola, Namibia, Western Sahara, Cote
d’Ivoire, Liberia,East Timor and Tchad. Currently
Defence Forces personnel are serving in UN and UN-mandated
Missions. Tragically this service has come at a cost and 86
soldiers have died in the service of peace.


The high standing of the Irish Defence Forces within UN
Peacekeeping is reflected in the senior positions that have been
held by Irish Military personnel in the past, Force Commander in
Cyprus (UNFICYP) and Syria-Israel Border (UNDOF), Chief of Staff of
the United Nations Troops Supervision Organisation in the Middle
East (UNTSO) and UNMIL in Liberia and Chief Military Observer
India- Pakistani Border (UNMOGIP). An Irish Major General was
EU Operational Commander of the EU Mission to Tchad/CAR 2008/2009,
an Irish General commanded the Multi National Task Force Centre in
Kosovo (KFOR) in 2007 and Defence Forces Officers have served in
all key positions.


Garda S&#237;och&#225;na


Irish Garda (Police) Force


The tradition of organised policing in Ireland can be traced back
to the establishment of the County Constabulary in 1822 and in 1836
the Irish Constabulary (later to be known as the Royal Irish
Constabulary (RIC)) and the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) were
established to replace the County Constabulary with a force of
11,000 in being by 1900. In 1921 a new police force was
formed and formally named the Garda S&#237;och&#225;na na h&#201;ireann on 8
August 1923. After the passing of a Garda S&#237;och&#225;na Act
1989, members of An Garda S&#237;och&#225;na were permitted to participate
with the United Nations Civilian Police Component on Overseas
Missions. The permission has since been extended to include
O.S.C.E. and E.U. missions.


The first overseas mission with the UN was in 1989/90 which saw the
deployment of 35 members to United Nations Transition Assistance
Group (UNTAG) Mission in Namibia where Ireland also provided the
first UN Police Commissioner. Since then over eight
hundred and ninety five (895) members of An Garda S&#237;och&#225;na have
served on overseas duties in twenty-five (25) different locations
throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. Members of
An Garda S&#237;och&#225;na continue to serve with the UNFICYP Mission in
Cyprus and the European Union Police Mission (EUPM) in Bosnia &amp;amp;
Herzegovina and have established a reputation for professional,
competent and humane execution of their tasks. Garda Officers
have been appointed to senior posts in other overseas missions
including Cyprus (UNFICYP) and the Balkans. Tragically one
member of the Force has died while serving with the United Nations
Protection Force in Sarajevo, Bosnia &amp;amp;
Herzegovina.


For more information on Irish Peacekeeping, click here: www.military.ie/overseas and
http://www.garda.ie/

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:08:14 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Hunger and Food Security]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81382</link>
					<description><![CDATA[   
“We will respond both to acute needs and to the underlying
causes of hunger. Our overall aim is to contribute towards food
security through a range of interventions, including rural
development, agricultural research and building
livelihoods.”
White Paper on Irish Aid


The Challenge


One of the targets of the first Millennium Development Goal is to
eradicate hunger by reducing by half the proportion of people
suffering from hunger by 2015 (the so-called ‘hunger
target’).


The number of people suffering from hunger in the world today is
increasing. In June 2008 it was estimated that 862 million
people were hungry. That figure had grown to 925 million by
September the same year. It is now estimated that up to 1
billion people do not have enough to eat.


A major cause of global hunger, in addition to the depletion and
degradation of soil and water resources, the effects of climate
change and poor education on nutritional issues, is the
under-investment in agricultural production and rural
infrastructure over the last three decades.


In the longer term, the key challenge remains to increase the
supply of food: the World Bank estimates that demand for food will
rise by 50 per cent by 2030, as a result of rising affluence and
growing world population. Achieving this challenge will
require a massive investment in agriculture in developing
countries.


Ireland’s Response


Ireland is committed to responding both to acute needs and to the
underlying causes of hunger. Our overall goal of poverty reduction
and our commitment to MDG1 ensure a comprehensive approach in our
efforts to eliminate hunger in the countries where we work.
Our aim is to contribute towards food security for all through a
complementary range of interventions, including safety nets,
pro-poor agricultural research and building livelihoods.


We are committed to working closely with our partner governments,
multilateral agencies and humanitarian organisations to develop
effective mechanisms and supports that, in parallel with longer
term development programmes, proactively prevent persistent food
shortages becoming famines. In regions and countries
particularly vulnerable to food shortages and famine, we will
support disaster risk reduction programmes to diminish the effects
of persistent food shortages and to prevent widespread famine,
while trying to address the root causes of vulnerability.


In 2006, the Irish Government established a Hunger Task Force
(HTF), which brought together international experts in the field of
food security, to identify the additional, appropriate and
effective contributions that Ireland can make to international
efforts to reduce global hunger. The Hunger
Task Force Report which was presented to the Taoiseach on 25
September 2008 at UN Headquarters in New York has been warmly
welcomed, nationally and internationally. The Report
challenges us to deepen our support for pro-poor smallholder
production with particular consideration for the role and burden of
women farmers. The Report also encouraged Ireland to continue
to innovate in the areas of infant and maternal nutrition, and to
play our full role in support of a more effective and coherent
international response to the global food crisis.


In response, Irish Aid has established a special Hunger Task Team
to bring together the full range of expertise available within
Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs and other Government
Departments (Agriculture, Fisheries &amp;amp; Food and Finance) in the
area of food security and related disciplines to ensure a coherent
whole of Government approach to addressing global hunger and the
recommendations of the Hunger Task Force. The Government has
also appointed Mr Kevin Farrell as a Special Envoy for Hunger, in
response to one of the key recommendations of the Hunger Task
Force. The Envoy, Mr Kevin Farrell, formerly of the World
Food Programme, will work closely with the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Irish Aid in bringing forward the HTF Report.





The Role of the United Nations in addressing Global Food and
Nutrition Security


Ireland is strongly supportive of a global and coordinated response
to this problem. In this regard we recognise the important role of
the UN Secretary General's new Lead Group for the Scaling Up
Nutrition Movement and his High-Level Task Force on the Global Food
Crisis.


The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement (www.scalingupnutrition.org),
or SUN, is a global push for action and investment to improve
maternal and child nutrition. Evidence shows that proper
nutrition during the 1,000 days between a woman's pregnancy and her
child's second birthday gives children a healthy start at
life. Poor nutrition during this period leads to irreversible
consequences such as stunted growth and impaired cognitive
development.The SUN movement is for all countries whose
populations experience under-nutrition and for all stakeholders
committed to providing support. Improving nutrition is a
pre-condition to achieving goals of eradicating poverty and hunger,
reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and combatting
disease - which allcontribute to a stronger future for
communities and nations. Over 1 billion people in the world
today are under-nourished. Proven solutions are available and
are ready to be scaled up. SUN brings together over 100
organisations and governments committed to work together to fight
hunger and under-nutrition.


The SUN Movement was launched at the 1,000 Days: Changea
Life, Change the Future event withUNSG Ban Ki-Moon, co-hosted
bythe United States and Ireland during the
UnitedNations Summit on the Millennium Development Goals in
September 2010.


In addition, the High Level Task Force which is comprised of all
relevant UN agencies as well as the World Bank, IMF, WTO and OECD
have produced a prioritised plan of action, the Comprehensive
Framework for Action.


The Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations is also
actively engaged on these topics through our membership in New York
of the Group of Friends on Food and Nutrition Security.
Relevant issues are discussed including in the context of planning
for intergovernmental processes such as Rio + 20/the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development 2012.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:34:19 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Ireland and the United Nations]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81124</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
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 S&#237;och&#225;na (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.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Sat, 31 Mar 2012 22:25:29 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[International Law]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81384</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
The Constitution of Ireland expresses the commitment of the People
of Ireland to peace and friendly cooperation amongst nations
founded on international justice and morality, the pacific
settlement of international disputes and the generally recognised
principles of international law. A commitment to international law
is thus one of the core principles of Irish foreign policy.
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 maintenance of international
peace and security, the pursuit of economic and social development
and the protection and promotion of human rights. 


International law is a key component in the development and
implementation of Irish foreign policy. The Department of Foreign
Affairs ensures an appropriate legal input in the formulation and
implementation of Ireland’s foreign policy and contributes to
effective Irish participation in international legal fora.


The functions of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which has a
specialised team of career lawyers, include:



providing advice and legal information, particularly on matters of
public international law, human rights law and European Union law,
to the Minister for Foreign Affairs;


representing Ireland in international legal proceedings including
the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human
Rights;


representing Ireland in international legal fora such as the Sixth
(Legal) Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, the
Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court, the
bodies established under the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea
and relevant Council of Europe and EU bodies;


representing Ireland in negotiations concerned with international
legal matters;


carrying out a number of functions in relation to treaties.



For further information on Ireland and international law, click
here


For statements made by Ireland in the UN General Assembly Sixth
(Legal) Committee and in other international legal fora, click
here


For information on Irish Treaty Practice, click here


For access to the Irish Treaty Series Database, click here


For information on Irish participation in international
organisations and legal bodies (including Irish citizens elected to
certain treaty bodies and international courts and tribunals),
click here


For information on Ireland’s participation in international courts
and tribunals, click here


For information on Ireland and the Law of the Sea, click
   here

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Sat, 31 Mar 2012 21:56:05 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Current Membership in UN Bodies]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=81389</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Support for a rules-based international order, with the UN at its
centre, is a fundamental element of Ireland’s foreign policy.
Ireland, at the UN, seeks to promote effective international action
on a range of global issues such as peace and security,
disarmament, development, humanitarian action, and human
rights. As part of this commitment to effective
multilateralism, Ireland often seeks membership of various bodies
in the UN system. Ireland held a non-permanent seat on the
Security Council for the period 2001-2002 and will be
seeking non-permanent membership again in 2020, for the term
2021-22. Ireland will also be seeking election to the
Human Rights Council in 2012, and since 1 January 2012
serves on the Economic and Social Council.


Where possible, Ireland also nominates individuals for election to
independent expert level bodies in the UN system. Currently,
Prof. Michael O’Flaherty is a member on the Human Rights
Committee, Mr. Peter Croker is a member on the
Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf
while Ms. Anastacia Crickley serves on the Committee on the
Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:29:39 UTC</pubDate>
		
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