Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a general question for Ms McKenna on the many issues raised. I ask for her view, or indeed that of her colleagues, on the specific role that this parliamentary committee might have. We are very grateful for this engagement. So far, it has been on an annual basis. Last year the witnesses appeared from Glasgow and we are engaging with them now as a consequence of COP27 in Egypt. For example, the role that we have in the monitoring of the sustainable development goals, SDGs, is part of our terms of reference. We meet with some of the witnesses, from time to time, in that context. How do governments ensure that there is a parallel process here and that there is not something of an overlap between reaching our 2030 targets in the sustainable development goals and these newer commitments in respect of climate? We have a weekly reminder of our role in the SDGs in the form of a physical manifestation of the badge on Deputy Stanton's jacket. We visit this issue from time to time, notwithstanding the real challenges or the failure to reach certain targets. We see the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs as being the lead Department and we, as a parliamentary committee, have a clear function.

We are almost halfway through the period of the strategic development goal, SDG, actions. There are challenges in the cost-of-living and energy crises. There are ongoing wars and other conflicts, particularly in the Horn of Africa. We see famine and climate change. All of this is wrapped up in the challenging consequences of Covid-19.

I believe Ms Curran mentioned a sum of $550 million, which I take it is the new fund announced at Sharm el-Sheikh. I was pleased to see the Taoiseach, on behalf of Ireland, pledging at least €225 million per year by 2025. What is that funding pledged towards and where is the shortfall? Mr. Fitzpatrick mentioned Kenya and Pakistan. Are we committing €225 million per year to loss and damage or adaptation or both? What should our committee be monitoring by way of parliamentary engagement so as to ensure that the issue can remain high up the agenda? Where does this funding stand vis-à-visthe SDGs?

I acknowledge the hard work and commitment shown by Ireland in having loss and damage on the agenda in the first instance and in also reaching what might be described as a reasonably successful conclusion. Our officials at governmental level and all of the witnesses at non-governmental level put their backs into this work. It was a great achievement, but it will only be as good as the follow-up. How best can we utilise our resources, being an all-party parliamentary committee, and what types of target would the witnesses like to see us framing for ourselves in the ongoing context?