Ireland Join The United Nations 14.December.1955
On this day 14 December 1955, Ireland joined the United Nations. In the intervening years, Ireland has played a significant role in the promotion of international peace and is the only nation to have an unbroken record of service in peacekeeping missions since 1958. Irish peacekeepers have served in more than twenty peacekeeping operations around the world. Emerging from the Second World War, neutrality meant that Ireland was somewhat isolated in international diplomacy. When the United Nations was established in 1945 to replace the former League of Nations, Ireland’s entry was blocked by the Soviet Union based on that wartime neutrality. On 14 December 1955 as the 10th Assembly drew to a close, Ireland was admitted as the 63rd member of the United Nations. News of Ireland’s entry was greeted by praise around the world. Messages of support were sent from the USA, Canada, Australia, India, Turkey, Sweden, Israel, Pakistan, and others. The US Secretary of State congratulated Ireland and noted the long associations between the two countries writing that:
I am pleased to have the opportunity to express the deep gratification of the United States that the long-overdue entry of your country into the United Nations has at last taken place. I know that the participation of Ireland in the work of the United Nations will add greatly to the effectiveness and the influence of the organisation.
India’s Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru declared that ‘the presence of Ireland in this world organisation will further the cause of peace’. In welcoming the news, Liam Cosgrove, Minister for External Affairs stated that Ireland would assist in peacebuilding across the world but would also maintain its individuality within the organisation.
Source: www.irishnewsarchives.com Irish Examiner 1841-current, Friday, December 16, 1955, page 7
