Empathetic Ireland will be force for good on UN Security Council

Speaking following the successful vote on Wednesday 17 June, Mr MacSorley says the successful outcome is due in no small part to the extraordinary efforts of Ireland’s diplomatic team and could not have come at a more critical time. 

“Well done to Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason and the entire campaign team. They worked tirelessly and were up against very worthy and formidable competition. Ireland now has a real opportunity to be a progressive voice of solidarity with the people who are caught up in conflict around the world. Our own history of poverty, hunger and conflict has forged a unique empathy and solidarity with those caught up in crisis right now. This empathy was at the heart of the campaign for a seat and it is central to what makes Ireland a fitting presence at the Council,” Mr MacSorley said. 

"Now that empathy must be put into action, but we have to be realistic about what can be achieved. These are tough times with a deepening climate crisis, rising levels of hunger and now the COVID-19 pandemic, which, according to the World Bank, has pushed up to 100 million people back into extreme poverty. These are all massive global challenges but a core focus for Ireland should also be to gather support to re-set the Security Council back to its rightful purpose: to maintain peace and security around the world. 

“This includes neglected protracted conflict – from Central African Republic to South Sudan to Somalia. It also includes the most internationalised conflicts of our time – in places such as Syria. Although the constraints of the Security Council are well known, Ireland has great potential to rally against them and to champion reform where it is most greatly needed.” 

ENDS 

For media queries or to organise an interview contact Jason Kennedy, Media Relations Officer, Concern Worldwide, at jason.kennedy@concern.net