Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister mentioned the incredibly complex agenda. That is why, in the context of the two years we have, we do not have a significant opportunity to make an impact. I suggest the issue of climate justice should be at the heart of everything we do. The Minister will see that is at the root of the growing complexity of many of the issues he just mentioned such as peace. I listened to the exchange between the Minister and Deputy Brady around natural resources, Cyprus and Turkey. There is also the impact of the worsening climate situation on crops and food, as well as the protection of civilians. We have an opportunity if we place that at the heart of our mission and skill up our teams in our approaches. Then we might be able to say at the end of the two years that we have made a difference. We have the enormous influence of Mary Robinson, former UN Commissioner, who has done so much work in this area. The Minister referred to the UNHCR earlier. We have an opportunity, as well as waking ourselves up domestically, to put this at the heart of the agenda internationally and domestically.

See this speech in context