Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste's officials for coming in. I have some specific questions on Vote 27. An additional €25 million is being allocated to international climate finance. Can the Tánaiste highlight to the committee what the priorities are for the Department of Foreign Affairs climate unit for 2023? There is also an allocation for emergency response and humanitarian assistance. How is this funding going to be disseminated to Türkiye and Syria over the coming weeks? It is my understanding that while we have sent aid and we are making financial pledges of support, we have not actually sent any people that would have experience or a history of working in recovery post earthquake or disaster on such a scale.

I would also be interested in getting the Tánaiste's opinion on how we are progressing with the UN sustainable development goals. It is an issue that comes up quite regularly at committee meetings from various different angles. From the Tánaiste's perspective and based on what has been brought forward in the Estimates, how are we getting on, what are the areas for improvement, and where would the Tánaiste like to see improvement and progress being made for the remainder of the duration of this Government?