54. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland is advancing proposals for the reform of United Nations structures. [68948/26]

Ireland supports the ongoing UN80 reform initiative launched by UN Secretary-General Guterres in 2025. The initiative aims to strengthen the effectiveness, accountability and representativeness of the UN system amid shrinking resources and rising needs.

Ireland believes that any reforms must serve to strengthen and protect the United Nations' capacity to deliver across the three pillars of Peace and Security, Sustainable Development, and Human Rights, while remaining firmly grounded in the principles of the UN Charter.

Together with our EU partners, Ireland continues to engage actively across all three work-streams of UN80. This includes initiatives to strengthen coordination, coherence and delivery across the UN, via reforms of programmes and structures.

Ireland also continues to advocate for institutional reforms, including reform of the UN Security Council. Ireland has consistently called for the veto power held by the Permanent Five members of the Security Council to be abolished. Ireland has also been clear that Council reform must address the unjust under-representation of Africa and other under-represented regions on the Council and safeguard the right of small states, including Small Island Developing States, to serve on the Council.

My Department will continue to engage on the UN80 process to ensure that Ireland's values and interests are protected and advanced.