Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding moneys contributed to the Global Climate Change Alliance; the person to whom this money will be allocated and the amount of same; the projects on which the money will be spent; the way the moneys will be administered; the oversight of the expenditure of the moneys that will take place; if overseas aid will play any role in relation to the expenditure; the amount of moneys in total that Ireland has committed itself to pay to the Global Climate Change Alliance in addition to the contribution; the dates on which we agreed we have to pay our contribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47278/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Following approval by Dáil Éireann, my Department is in the process of finalising arrangements to make the fast start finance contribution of €23 million which was the subject of the supplementary estimate debate at the Select Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on 9 December 2010. As indicated in my statement on the supplementary estimate, the contribution will be made through the Global Climate Change Alliance established and operated by the European Commission. The contribution, once transferred to the Commission, will be used together with other EU funding provided through the Alliance, in accordance with the main objectives which I set out in my statement. Administrative and oversight arrangements are elements of the ongoing discussions between my Department and the European Commission.

The contribution is additional to overseas development assistance. However, it is positive that the Alliance is already active in a number of Ireland's priority overseas development assistance (ODA) countries. My preference, which is being pursued in the discussions with the Commission, would be to target our contribution to support adaptation in one or a number of our priority ODA countries.

The fast start finance package was a positive outcome at the Copenhagen climate conference in 2009, and I am pleased that the outcome of the recent Cancún climate conference shows welcome signs of progress in rebuilding trust between the Parties and moving the process forward.

The developed country Parties who associated with the Copenhagen Accord (including the EU and all Member States) agreed to provide the fast start finance package for developing countries over the three years 2010 to 2012. Ireland's commitment made at Copenhagen is for a €100 million contribution over the three year period. The practical arrangements for making the actual contributions are a matter for each of the developed countries supporting the package.

I cannot over-emphasise the responsibility that rests on developed countries to strengthen and progress the international negotiations by honouring the fast-start-funding commitment in the Copenhagen Accord. The proposed contribution through the Global Climate Change Alliance is a very positive step for Ireland, both in helping developing countries deal with climate change and in supporting the ongoing international effort to find agreement on an effective global response.