72 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of the Government's proposals for the modernisation of the United Nations which are listed as a priority in An Action Programme for the Millennium; the proposals, if any, he made in this regard during his recent visit to the UN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14717/97]

The Government believes it is essential that the United Nations system be modernised so that it can more effectively face the complex and difficult challenges in the coming millennium, particularly in fulfilling the major objectives of the UN charter, namely to secure international peace and security and to promote the economic and social development of all member states.

The main objective of this effort must be to have a UN system which is revitalised, more coherent in purpose and more co-ordinated in its activities, and which has set itself clear and key priorities for action.