Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a gabháil leis an Teachta faoi an ceist tábhachtach seo. The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World recognises clearly that climate change is one of the biggest global challenges of this century and that it is pushing more and more people in developing countries into poverty. My Department brings a strong development perspective across government to Ireland’s work on climate change and sustainable development. Our policy for international development - One World, One Future - prioritises action to address climate change for the poorest people in developing countries, in particular in the least developed countries.

We recognise the importance of climate Justice as noted in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which was signed by Ireland on 22 April at the United Nations in New York. One of the key principles underpinning the agreement is "the principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities". This acknowledges the need for equity and requires action by all parties, big and small.

At the UN conference of the Convention on Climate Change in Paris last December, the Taoiseach committed that Ireland will commence contributions to the green climate fund in 2016 with a view to building up our support over the coming years. He also committed to increase our contributions to the least developed countries fund and to provide €175 million in international climate finance over five years. It is planned that this will largely be channelled through existing partnerships.

Given a number of effective financing mechanisms are provided for by the UN Convention on Climate Change, there are currently no plans to establish a new national mechanism to provide climate financing to developing countries.

One of the leading advocates for climate justice internationally is our former President, Mary Robinson. I welcome her appointment this week by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, as his special envoy on El Niño and climate. We look forward to working with Mary Robinson in this important new role.

See this speech in context