Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We work closely with our EU colleagues in all of these situations. The way it generally works is that some countries are better positioned to help individual countries. This may depend on their diplomatic and political relationship over many years. Some countries are very willing to take assistance from certain countries within the EU immediately while choosing not to take assistance from other countries. We always use the most appropriate country to deal with the country in question. That does happen. I again stress that our work on the loss and damage fund ahead of COP28 will be key in respect of the issue of climate change. Ireland is very supportive of that fund. We cannot continue to deal with these issues on an emergency basis only. We have to look at the big picture and assist those countries that suffer the most when these climate issues arise. It is often those countries that contribute least to the emissions that are contributing to the overall situation. That is why it is essential for us to have that loss and damage fund. We have to do this on an ongoing basis rather than moving from crisis to crisis. Those funds are just top-ups to our pre-committed funds.

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