Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Ryan, and his officials, Ms Emer Griffin and Mr. Niall McLoughlin, and I thank them for coming before us. The purpose of this meeting is to have an engagement on the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the forthcoming COP26 which will take place in Glasgow in two weeks. This is a very important session. As the Minister knows, four members of this committee travelled to the pre-COP26 meeting in Rome the weekend before last and many more members will travel to Glasgow in two weeks. Senators O'Reilly, Higgins and McGahon made a strong impression in Rome. Delegates from around the world and especially those from the developing world who approached us afterwards were keen to discuss themes we had raised, which had not been broached by other nations, especially the issue of trust between our developed societies, those with greatest responsibility for climate change and those societies that have least responsibility but are bearing its worst effects.

We talk about climate impact here. It is a mild October with more or heavier rain, but the impact in many of these other countries is already far more severe. In fact, it is quite grim in many cases. There are droughts, famines and people are starving. Commitments made to these developing countries more than ten years ago in Copenhagen have not been met. It is totally understandable there is an issue of trust and we should seek to rebuild that.

Another point members of our delegation made in Rome was that, as a country, we are leading on ambition in reducing carbon emissions. We are able to say we, as a small nation, have made an iron-clad commitment to reduce emissions by more than 50% within a decade. The aggregate of small nations will have a greater positive impact on the climate agenda than any one superpower and we should know that and understand Ireland's influence internationally. I know the Minister only has approximately one hour to be with us and we are very interested in the committee, as we lead on Ireland's interparliamentary efforts on international climate action, to hear how he and the rest of the Government plans to lead on Ireland's intergovernmental efforts on international climate action.

Before we begin, I will read out a note on privilege. I remind the Minister, as our guest, of the long-standing parliamentary practice that he should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. If his statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, I will direct him to discontinue and it is imperative he complies with such direction.

Members of the committee are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I also remind members they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex. I ask that all members, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House complex.