Why is winning a seat on the United Nations Security Council a big deal? The 15-member UN Security Council is the most powerful body in the UN system. There are five permanent members of the council: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. A further €2 million has been budgeted by the Government for the two years Ireland is on the council from the start of 2021. As one of only three European Union members on the council, it will also help Ireland’s standing at a European level.

Source: The Irish Times June 18, 2020 09:59 UTC