42 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals, if any, the Government has to promote reform of the United Nations particularly in regard to the composition of the Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25512/99]

The Government strongly supports reform of the United Nations, in line with the commitment to this end in An Action Programme for the Millennium. In the recent review of the action programme, the Government committed itself to support the strengthening of the capacity of the international community, in particular through the UN and the renewal process that will follow the millennium assembly, to make effective humanitarian interventions to halt conflict and suffering.