Thomas Byrne
Meath East · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“We are very proud of the work they do in what are often very dangerous circumstances. Let us be 100% clear: our troops will only ever do peacekeeping, peace enforcement or conflict prevention in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and, of course, as with every action of this Government, in accordance with the Constitution.”
“To be clear on what our troops will be doing, they will be doing peacekeeping, peace enforcement and conflict prevention. That is what the law says; not what the Deputy imagines it to be. We are bound by our Constitution and international law. The legislation changes nothing in that regard.”
“We are bound by international law. We are bound by international law since our Constitution came into force and we continue to be bound by international law and always will be, no matter what happens to this legislation. International law governs what we do as a Government.”
“I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 140, 157 and 185 together. I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister. A commitment to reform what is known as the triple lock was set out in the programme for Government.”
“-----in accordance with UN principles and, of course, in accordance with our own Constitution, which commits us to peace and friendly relations among nations. The triple lock is a statutory mechanism.”
“Switzerland, the classical neutral country that is not even a member of the European Union and will never join the European Union, it is so neutral and independent, accepts UN, EU and OSCE mandates. I understand the situation is similar in Austria, which is another neutral country. By the way, it is also similar in Germany.”
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“This will include community-facing ancillary support services. Cuan has worked with Safe Ireland to fund and resource a project manager post and a change manager post, in addition to supporting the organisation to form the local partnership needed to drive the project. Last year, a site selection process for the building of a domestic violence refuge in the Cavan-Monaghan area was started, marking a key step in the delivery of a new domestic violence refuge in the region. In addition to identifying suitable locations for refuge development, the process will focus on identifying potential locations for safe home development, reflecting the strong commitment from all partners to protecting survivors, preventing further victimisation and ensuring they have the stability to rebuild their lives.”
“There were 147 refuge units across the country at the end of 2023, with 12 new units delivered in 2024, including the state-of-the-art refuge in Wexford. This year a further 54 units are set to be under construction or due for refurbishment. This will bring the total units, including those under construction, to 213 at the end of 2025. A key priority for the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and Cuan is the development of a domestic violence refuge in the Cavan-Monaghan region. Cavan-Monaghan is identified as a phase 1 priority for refuge development under the zero tolerance strategy. Cuan is working with the key stakeholders, including Safe Ireland, the Department of housing, Cavan and Monaghan county councils and the Housing Agency, to progress the development of an eight-unit refuge in this region.”
“I am speaking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, who is at the Cabinet meeting. One of the overarching goals of Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one. The strategy, which was published in June 2022, included a commitment to doubling the number of refuge units throughout the country. This represents the fastest ever expansion of refuge accommodation in this country. Cuan, the domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency, was established at the beginning of last year and is working in partnership with local front-line services providers, local authorities, the Department of housing and the Housing Agency to streamline processes in order to accelerate the delivery of refuges.”
“As we look to the next two years, Ireland will work with all partners on the Council, and with the wider United Nations membership, in an open and constructive spirit to uphold the responsibility vested in the Council and to advance its vital agenda.”
“It follows that it is necessary that the Council uphold the international rules-based system, upon which we all depend for our security and well-being, and that the Council’s own decisions be respected and implemented. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate and my fellow countryman John Hume once reflected that, although “difference is the very essence of humanity”, our shared humanity transcends our differences. That is the solemn responsibility that we around this virtual table face: to recognize and value difference, but not to let it lead to division in our pursuit of international peace and security.”
“Communities must have access to responsive and effective security and justice services and inclusive and victim-centred transitional justice processes. We must redouble our efforts to end impunity for conflict-related sexual violence and ensure holistic and survivor-centred approaches in addressing it. Human rights violations are a root cause of conflict and insecurity, while a commitment to, and respect for, human rights is critical to ensuring peaceful, equitable and just societies. There is power in prevention and, when crises occur, we must take early action to protect individuals and communities, as well as to protect and promote international human rights law and international human rights. Where violations occur, accountability is key to ensuring that there is no impunity for those responsible.”
“The African Union’s Silencing the Guns in Africa initiative is a practical example of a strong regional response that, among its measures, addresses key drivers, such as the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. By understanding and addressing the root causes of conflict today, we are much more likely to prevent conflict from occurring tomorrow. The Security Council should also be cognizant of how its actions can support the delivery of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 of the African Union. On strengthening accountability, our third priority, Secretary-General Guterres recently reiterated how vital accountable, inclusive and responsive governance is to building and sustaining peace.”
“In Somalia, the Sahel and elsewhere, populations displaced by extreme weather events can be vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups, fuelling conflict. But, conversely, early action to address climate change delivers a peace dividend, building the resilience of communities and fostering social cohesion. To undertake such action, we need to improve coherence across the United Nations system, from the Security Council to the Peacebuilding Commission and United Nations country teams, as well as with regional organizations. Ensuring that such linkages work in practice can save lives and improve stability. Preventing conflict, fostering stability and building sustainable peace, for example, are at the very heart of the European Union’s engagement in fragile contexts across the world.”
“To be fully effective, the mandates of such operations must be fit for purpose and properly financed, with clear transition strategies at the end of the mandates. On the theme of strengthening conflict prevention, we believe that the Security Council must look beyond the traditional threats to international peace and security to the contemporary drivers of conflict and insecurity. Those include climate change, competition for natural resources, violations of human rights and social and economic inequality. The coronavirus disease has shown us how major challenges can arise very quickly and can fundamentally affect lives and livelihoods on a global scale. Changing weather patterns can contribute to fragility, and they drive conflict.”
“United Nations peacekeeping operations play a vital role in maintaining peace and security in fragile contexts and in creating space for political solutions. However, allow me to take this opportunity to remember the peacekeepers tragically killed in recent weeks and to acknowledge all those who lost their lives in the service of the United Nations in pursuit of peace. I would also like to acknowledge the passing of Sir Brian Urquhart, who made an immense contribution to the United Nations and to United Nations peacekeeping over many decades. Ireland brings to the table more than 60 years of continuous service in United Nations peacekeeping, and we will draw on our experience in that work.”
“To save lives, a united Council must engage with all parties to promote dialogue, mediation and the peaceful settlement of disputes. That is putting the Charter of the United Nations into practice. The Council should draw on the resources available to it, not least the Peacebuilding Commission. Working with countries experiencing fragility, we can make a difference on the ground in building and sustaining peace. We know from our lived experience in promoting peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland that peacebuilding efforts are stronger when they are inclusive. Therefore, the full, equal and meaningful participation from the outset of women and young people, who are disproportionately affected by conflict, and of civil society in peacemaking and peacebuilding initiatives is essential to long-term peace.”
“We will be an active member and will use our efforts to ensure that the Council fulfils its vital role in maintaining international peace and security. For its term on the Council Ireland has set three priorities, which, I believe, go to the heart of today’s debate. Indeed, our priorities — building peace, strengthening conflict prevention and ensuring accountability — are prerequisites for transforming fragile contexts. Let me first look at building peace. In Ireland we know from our own experience that peace is a process, not a single event. To save lives, the Security Council must therefore be proactive at every step of the process of building and maintaining peace. We need to heed early warnings of conflict and understand the underlying dynamics.”
“I thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this important and timely debate, and let me congratulate Tunisia on its presidency of the Security Council. I also want to thank Secretary-General Guterres, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat and former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for their very important contributions. At the outset, I wish to extend my condolences to the people of the Niger following the dreadful attacks on civilians there. My thoughts are with those who have been affected. This is the first time that I speak at the Security Council since Ireland assumed its seat on 1 January. Ireland takes the responsibility entrusted to it very seriously.”