Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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9. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland's foreign policy advocates and supports climate justice and an equitable burden-sharing approach to tackling climate change globally; if Ireland will make a public financing pledge to the United Nation's green climate fund and establish a new national mechanism, for example, a new climate justice fund to provide secure and additional financing for adaptation in developing countries into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11892/16]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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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.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response and I wish him well in his new role.

Ireland committed €175 million over five years, which works out at €35 million per year. When will that start to be paid and how will it be paid this year? Will he outline the source of the funding? Will the money diverted from our ODA programme or will new money be allocated for this important commitment we gave at the Paris summit to subscribe to the fund and to ensure the money is targeted at climate justice actions in developing countries? It is important that the Minister of State provides clarity to the House that this is additional money rather than money being diverted from existing ODA funds.

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I can obtain information for the Deputy regarding the detail of when and how it will be paid. However, buying into the commitment is the most important factor. At the humanitarian summit earlier this week, humanitarian aid and development programmes were not discussed in isolation. Climate change, food security and conflict solutions were very much at the heart of the debate. We cannot anticipate some issues such as climate change but preparatory work is being done.

With regard to the money that is being made available, a fixed amount is ring-fenced for ODA - €640 million for 2016. During our earlier discussion on this, we alluded to an additional €40 million, which is a significant amount in the context of reaching our 0.7% of GNP budgetary target, but it still does not go far enough. However, we have provided €3.8 billion in ODA since 2011, which is a lot of money. The money for this programme is additional to the ODA budget and I will get the detail of when it will be paid. I do not have that information to hand.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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The Minister of State has said this is additional funding on top of the ODA budget. This will be new money that will be provided specifically for climate justice actions. That is welcome commitment, if it is the case.

The Minister previously announced a contribution of $2.7 million but it has not been paid. There is a long history of countries announcing funding in response to natural disasters and demands for development aid but all they are is announcements, which do not translate into the delivery of money. I welcome the fact that this will be additional funding. I look forward to that being provided in future budgets. However, I emphasise that we need more than just announcements; we need to see this happening as well.

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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There have to be announcements but we may agree that the major challenge is delivering the money on the ground. We may have a solution in Ireland for countries in which there is significant conflict such as South Sudan but we need to find the solutions at local level. The EU promotes subsidiarity. There was a strong conversation among world leaders and UN officials that the solutions have to work from the bottom up on the ground. Many issues present an enormous challenge. A total of 60 million people have been displaced by conflict. An additional €15 billion is required for humanitarian assistance in the current period. There are many challenges and while we are focused on the country and on our constituencies, this has an impact at local level. I thank the Deputy for asking the question.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Paul Murphy was not in the House and asked that Deputy Mick Barry take Question No. 6 on his behalf. Is that agreed?

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Which question is that?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question No. 6. Is that agreed?

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Are we going back to Question No. 6?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question No. 6. It relates to human rights defenders. Is that agreed? Agreed.