Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputy that there is a requirement to assist those undeveloped countries to the greatest possible extent, both in terms of additionality and technological transfer. There has to be a just outcome to this matter. As the Deputy said, there are small communities, islands and countries in the undeveloped bloc whose very existence is under threat, given all the available scientific evidence. They have the greatest stake in this but, unfortunately, they also have the weakest voice. As regards the values we should espouse and articulate, the EU has been and will be to the forefront in ensuring that we get an outcome that will do justice to those who are under the most severe pressure. I do not think there is any argument about that.

It is true to say that the stage the negotiations reached did not indicate what the final figure or outward boundary would be in terms of additionality and technological transfer for those countries. That was because no overall deal emerged. However, it is a part of the negotiations which I agree is important and needs to be adequately addressed. In so far as one can, I hope it can also be addressed to the satisfaction of those undeveloped countries whose very existence is under threat, let alone for other more developed countries which have resources and are in a better position to deal with this problem and find ameliorating measures to compensate for any loss of capacity arising from the commitments they undertake.

As regards the United Nations, we obviously do not want to see bilateral or trilateral arrangements being made by individual blocs. We want to see an overall global agreement under the aegis of the UN, which best provides guarantees for that. I was personally disappointed with the arrangements in Copenhagen, which were under the UN aegis. It undermined the arguments about the centrality of the UN's ambition and involvement if basic logistical issues regarding the organisation of conferences cannot be dealt with competently. To that extent, one was dealing with a disorganised situation. I found it hard to believe, given the importance of the issues that were being dealt with, but that is not germane to the debate's issues. While we have always advocated that the UN must be centrally involved in these issues, it must show the capacity and competence to be the player it needs to be in order to provide a just outcome for those whose voices, thus far, have not been adequately heard in this debate.

I believe in working towards the UN's common position, which does not mean that this country will abdicate its responsibility for advocacy on these matters. In addition, it ensures that in our bilateral relations with those affected, we have a good relationship in terms of our UN participation in New York and elsewhere. Nobody is suggesting that Ireland is less than committed to the issues regarding the group of countries to which the Deputy has referred.

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