Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Murphy raised the financing of climate change. Again, Ireland has been to the fore in respect of the global financing of countries in particular those that need supports. We have been very strong on helping small island states, for example, and their need for adaptation in respect of climate change and how it will impact on them immediately.

We pushed very strongly at COP26 for an agreement and we increased our own contribution to global financing in respect of climate change. Again at the Security Council, in relation to famine, I reference the work of our diplomats. They are a young team but they are an exceptional team representing our country. They were instrumental in maintaining the humanitarian corridor in Syria, which we got passed at the Security Council, despite Russia's reluctance. That ensures food for millions of people in Syria. In Ethiopia, the government reduced the number of our diplomats at the embassy in Addis Ababa because of our stance at the Security Council in respect of the war in Ethiopia. They did not like Ireland standing up and assertively saying what should happen. We called for a proper peace process and we called for engagement, but that was frowned upon, with the result that our embassy was reduced in numbers. Ireland has been very effective at the Security Council and we have taken strong stances from a humanitarian perspective. During our term, in particular, we pushed the role of women in conflict in all of the areas such as Afghanistan and right around the world. We pointed to the example of significant women involved in reconciliation in Colombia and elsewhere. We invited them before the Security Council to make presentations.

Deputy Haughey raised the important issue of reform. In my view, the United Nations does need reform. The fact that one of the five members that hold the veto could engage in this kind of wanton destruction of a neighbouring state calls into question the membership of the Security Council, particularly the permanent five, and it injures and undermines the effectiveness and the capacity of the council. It is in need of urgent reform, and we consistently work on that in terms of broadening the Security Council and its membership into the future. It should reflect modern-day realities in terms of demographics and how the world has evolved.

Meanwhile, we continue to work with the UN Secretary General. It should be recognised that he has been effective in the work he did on the Black Sea grain initiative, which has done a lot of work to prevent hunger and famine in Africa and the Middle East. It is imperative that that Black Sea grain initiative is renewed to prevent further hunger across the board.

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