Ban Ki-Moon Visits Ireland

The United Nations' Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon paid a two-day official visit to Ireland this week where he met with Taoiseach Brian Cowen and President Mary McAleese.

During his visit he addressed the Institute of International and European Affairs in Dublin castle where he praised Ireland's contribution to peacekeeping, emphasising that the Irish military had "served with distinction" on operations and saying that the country was a "dynamic presence" in the U.N.

He also paid tribute to those Irish soldiers who had been killed in the line of duty under the UN flag, expressing his deepest appreciation for Ireland's commitment.

"Ninety of your citizens have made the ultimate sacrifice while rendering this vital service. I pay tribute to your fallen personnel," he said.

"And I express my deepest appreciation to Ireland for its long-standing commitment to these operations, and to those being led by the European Union."

The Secretary General also praised Ireland's efforts on the world stage, saying that the county's global engagement had inspired admiration and respect and describing Ireland as "a bridge-builder."

He made particular note of the success of last year's international cluster munitions conference in Dublin which produced the Convention on Cluster Munitions which instituted an immediate and unconditional ban on all cluster munitions which cause unacceptable harm to civilians.

"Last year's cluster munitions conference here in Dublin, at which these inhuman weapons were banned, was just one example of your leadership on disarmament and non-proliferation," he said.

He also spoke of the North, saying that the peace process there provided an inspiration for others around the world.

Mr Ban also dealt with Ireland's participation in European Union military missions, dismissing claims that they detracted from Ireland's role in United Nations efforts:

"This is not a zero-sum game in which more support for one institution means less for the other. We are in this together."

He concluded by talking of the threats that plague the world and the crises that the governments of the world must face: "We are living through an era like no other. There are multiple crises: a food crisis, fuel crisis, flu crisis and financial crisis.

"Each is a crisis we have not seen for many years, even generations. But this time they are hitting the world all at once. We have never seen any era when we have been hit by all these multiple crises at the one time.

"Peacekeeping has experienced serious setbacks. Today we face mounting difficulties in getting enough troops, the right equipment and adequate logistical support. This supply has not kept pace with demand," he concluded.