OSCE chairmanship - Is this just a diversion?

There was a time as a new young nation when our membership of international bodies, like the League of Nations, was important to our sense of national self-esteem.

We did punch well above our weight in metaphorical terms.

Yesterday Ireland assumed the chair of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which seeks to address protracted conflicts as well as promoting Internet freedom and strengthening co-operation between the 56 members states of the OSCE. It should be stressed that the previous Fianna Fáil-led coalition secured the OSCE appointment.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore will be assuming these onerous responsibilities in the midst of what he described as unprecedented security challenges. “Ireland is committed to upholding core OSCE values and promoting peace, security and respect for human rights and rule of law in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian region,” he stressed.

The chair has always been a time consuming position, and questions must be asked about whether the Tánaiste will have the necessary time to devote to these issues, and whether we have the manpower to divert to them at this time. It is important that our involvement should not become a national embarrassment.

Yesterday Taoiseach Enda Kenny announced that Ireland is also seeking election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the first time.

Surely there are enough problems already that need to be tackled urgently in this country without any further diversions abroad. Could it be that the whole idea is just a diversion?