BRIEF REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE LUNCH HOSTED BY THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL
BRIEF REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE LUNCH HOSTED BY THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL NEW YORK THURSDAY, 6TH MAY 1999
Tá lúcháir orm bheith anseo libh inniu, agus is cúis áthais faoi leith domhsa go pearsanta, a Ard-Rúnaí, casadh leat arís.
Thank you for your very kind remarks, Secretary-General. It is a pleasure to meet with you again here at the UN. Your visit to Ireland in January was greatly appreciated given the central importance that the United Nations has had in Ireland’s foreign policy, across the political spectrum, since joining the organisation in 1955.
As the first UN Secretary-General to emerge from within the international civil service, your knowledge of the UN’s institutions and workings makes you especially well-placed to move forward the reforms which are so essential to the future success of the organisation. Your strong and effective diplomacy, your readiness to persevere in the search for peaceful solutions to complex and often emotive problems, have won deservedly wide praise, gaining renewed respect for your high office in exceptionally challenging circumstances.
The UN’s particular commitment to multilateral conflict resolution, and its tireless struggle to deal with human rights abuses and human catastrophes worldwide, echo strongly the values we in Ireland have always stood for. A renewed, reformed and more vigorous UN is essential to ensure the UN’s continued capacity to contribute effectively to conflict prevention and to social and economic development, and you have Ireland’s full support in your efforts.
Ireland’s particular commitment to the UN is spread across four primary pillars: peacekeeping, disarmament, development aid and human rights. I am proud of the record that Ireland has built up in our work within the UN across all these areas. It demonstrates that to be a small, independent nation, one which has itself experienced a difficult past, need not be a disadvantage. Indeed, I would argue, it gives us an invaluable perspective which can greatly contribute to the work of the UN, not least in relation to the Security Council, for our historical experience is one shared by so many troubled parts of the world which face conflict today. I will not dwell in detail on the specifics of Ireland’s contribution. But I would like to briefly mention one aspect of Ireland’s longstanding record of commitment to the UN, and particularly our focus on defending and improving human rights. This was recognised in 1997 with the appointment of my own predecessor as President, Mary Robinson, as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. This is an extremely challenging role, and a great honour both for Mrs Robinson and for Ireland. We look forward to continued cooperation with the High Commissioner in her vital work.
Thank you again for your very warm welcome today, Secretary-General. As an organisation, the UN bears much of the pain of the world and in its hands resides at least part of our hope for the future. These burdens are enormous. Your work is about the business of helping to shape a better world. Progress is uneven across our world and at times we seem to go backwards but it is important to count our successes, recount our strengths and keep faith with the vision which lies at the heart of this organisation and which is summarised in two simple words nations - united. May your mission be successful.
Tá ard-mheas ag muintir na hÉireann ar obair na Náisiún Aontaithe agus ar do shaothar pearsanta, a Ard-Rúnaí. Tá tréan oibre déanta agat ar son na síochána ar fud an domhain. Nár laga Dia thú. Mo mhíle buíochas libh arís.