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

Senator Ardagh was on the line earlier but she does not appear to be there now. If she returns, we can deal with her issues.

From my own perspective, I want to acknowledge the importance of this work, particularly in recent times at COP28. I applaud the manner in which the loss and damage fund was agreed and established, and I acknowledge our partnership with Germany, which shared the seat with us. What are the next steps in that regard? We have committed €25 million but, as Mr. Gaffey acknowledged, that is a very small amount in the general scheme of things. Where would he see the next steps being in respect of the loss and damage fund?

I am very interested in his commentary on the fellowships, students and the youth-led partnerships. It would seem to me that there is a very important role there in terms of awareness, information and knowledge. I dare say, since the strategy was first inaugurated in 2019, that there are many communities across Ireland who are not familiar with issues in the small island states. In fact, one of the few things that the small island states have in common is the fact that they are a considerable distance from us in Ireland in terms of the geography. However, they share much in terms of environmental threat. How would Mr. Gaffey see our information campaign developing? It strikes me that there might even be a role for this committee to ensure that communities in Ireland are informed. When informed, they may be in a position to have some of their members activated to engage in the fellows programme. I note that a number of overseas international students are coming from the small island states but I am assuming it is a two-way street and that young Irish people may also be in a position to assist by volunteering and having exchanges in many of the more vulnerable states. Is there a role for this committee, for the Dáil and for public representatives more generally in the area of information and awareness raising?

On the matter of the sourcing of funds and acknowledging the €25 million that Ireland is obliged to contribute to the loss and damage fund, it seems to me - this is outlined in the strategy - that we must continue to look for new sources of funding. We must move beyond the GNI-based model for access to finance. Presumably that will involve an increase in the level of contribution on the part of the private sector, including international institutional finance. How does the Government intend to take initiatives in that area? Also in the matter of information and awareness, Mr. Gaffey acknowledged 50 years of very successful engagement on the part of Ireland, assisting in what was best, by way of overseas aid. The 50th anniversary this year will provide a potential opportunity not only to acknowledge the role of the Irish people but also to seek to develop further innovative schemes and arrangements. I assume there is a programme of events to mark the 50th anniversary. Is there anything Mr. Gaffey can share with the committee in that regard?

Having read the second strategy, it is quite obvious that Ireland is now moving to a completely different level of engagementfrom the first strategy to the second. Obviously that will involve funding and finance but it will also involve boots on the ground. In this regard, I note the example of the expanded nature of the consular office in Miami in Florida, with specific responsibility for the Caribbean. Indeed, the consul there would be known to this committee, Consul General Sarah Kavanagh. I want to acknowledge her work programme in Miami. Presumably, that will involve increased resources to allow the footprint in the Caribbean to develop in a way that would be consistent with the strategy. What arrangements have been made for the roll-out of such new and exciting engagements, as contained in the strategy?

Finally, as referred to by Deputy Stanton, there is the impact of global conflict. We can look to the example of the impact of the war in Ukraine and more recently, the conflict in Gaza. How can the funding be ring-fenced to allow initiatives like the second strategy for partnership with SIDS to proceed in accordance with the plan while at the same time complying with new and emerging obligations under the emergency banner of international funding?

Again, I thank Mr. Gaffey for being with us and for sharing information on this important initiative on the part of Ireland. We would hope that there are some practical aspects of the initiative that we, as a committee, might be to demonstrate or support.