The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has said it is hugely significant that a country the size of Ireland can play its part in shaping global decision-making and politics.
Simon Coveney was speaking after Ireland won a seat for a two-year term on the United Nations Security Council last night.
He told RTÉ's Today with Sarah McInerney that the council is "far from perfect" and there is a lot of frustration when vetoes are used to often.
But Mr Coveney added that this country matters globally and many small countries around the world feel that Ireland can be a vote for them.
He said global politics is less certain and more fragmented than it has been for a long time and countries such as Ireland will speak up for a rules-based order that helps to enable small nations to survive.
The Tánaiste added that Ireland "doesn't bring a lot of baggage to the UN Security Council" because it does not have a colonial past.
He said this country would lobby for action to be taken against Israel if the planned annexation of the West Bank goes ahead, adding that Ireland was already doing this at European Union level.
Mr Coveney said that Ireland regards annexation as a blatant breach of international law.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Read more:
View from the UN as Ireland wins Security Council bid
Earlier, a former Irish Ambassador to the UK and the EU said that Ireland's place on the UN Security Council would allow it to advance the values and the interests of the Irish people and would "enhance our international standing and reputation."
Bobby McDonagh told RTÉ's Morning Ireland the country had secured the place due to its reputation and record over many decades in the UN, including its history of peacekeeping.
He said there was a strong team effort politically led by Mr Coveney as well as the Irish team in New York and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Mr McDonagh said Ireland will focus on peacekeeping and building, the rule of law, conflict prevention and climate change during the two-year term.
He said that even without a veto Ireland will be able to make a difference.
The former ambassador said that Ireland's presence on the Security Council will enable the country to make a significant contribution to the UN "at a time when multilateralism has never been more under threat."
He said it will help Ireland to bring its long-standing national priorities to the global table, including disarmament, peacekeeping and human rights.
Mr McDonagh said it represents an important use of the country's hard-won independence and said that in patriot Robert Emmet's words it is about "taking our place among the nations of the earth."
