Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

On that point about the UN and responsibility, I draw Mr. McLoughlin’s attention to the programme for Government, which promises to “Ensure that Ireland leverages its position within the UN to promote international cooperation in the management of climate-related security challenges and to build on our strength of conflict resolution.” I am aware of that line because I was the negotiator for the Green Party in respect of foreign affairs and I had a lot of support from some of the relevant NGOs, which are represented at this meeting. It is important that we step up to the plate, in regard not just to the EU but also to the UN, so I echo what Senator Higgins was saying in that regard.

It is undisputed that Ireland has a good reputation in this space, particularly with ODA. That is built not just on what it does but on what it says. It is important that we use every opportunity to say what it is we mean, particularly around loss and damage. In negotiations, what you say externally impacts on your ability to get what you want at the negotiating table. I take the point that in a negotiation you cannot always lay all your cards on the table but in this instance I do not see what we have to lose by saying what we mean around loss and damage. Those are my main points. I know we are caught for time. Much of what has been said is what I was going to say as well. Before we go to COP, I would like Ireland to state a position.