Ireland is in the running for a seat on the UN Security Council when voting gets underway today.

The country will have to beat off the challenge of NATO members Canada and Norway to win the seat on the influential council.

The Government has spent €840,000 on its campaign for the seat over the last three years.

The effort included events featuring U2 and Riverdance and a diplomatic push from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Simon Coveney in many of their dealings with foreign dignitaries.

Ireland will need the backing of two-thirds of the UN General Assembly when ambassadors begin voting this afternoon.

File photo of the United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria, 28-02-2020. Image: Xinhua/Li Muzi

Minister Coveney said the Irish diplomatic corps has been building up to this moment for four years.

“This is arguably the biggest day for Irish foreign policy for 20 years,” he said.

“There are only ten non-permanent member states on the Security Council at any given time.

“I have probably been speaking directly to the foreign minister or prime ministers of over 100 countries over the last two years in terms of drumming up support for Ireland.

“I think we are doing well but we won’t find out until 8pm this evening whether it is well enough.”

Voting usually involves a packed UN chamber; however, ambassadors will today vote in small groups to allow for social distancing.

Ireland's bid is based around the country's strong peacekeeping record and its reputation as a co-operative country that can get things done through negotiation.

Minister Coveney said Ireland came into the contest as an underdog but now has a good chance of taking the seat.

“We have a story to tell,” he said. “It is Ireland's story; it is compelling of a violent history at different times and all the tragedy that comes with that.

“They look at us now as a prosperous, wealthy country. There are countries who want to try and replicate that journey and can relate to Ireland and its history in a way that brings us closer to them.

“I hope it is a powerful enough story to be able to defeat either Canada or Norway, which is not an easy task.”

Winning the seat would give Irish officials access to the highest diplomatic tables and a greater relevance on the world stage as countries look to rebuild after the pandemic.

Canada and Norway have both spent more on their bids than Ireland, with Norway generally seen as being in the lead.

Results are expected around 8pm this evening.