Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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538. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposed timeline for ratification of the Paris climate agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29636/16]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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542. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeline for Ireland in the ratification of the Paris agreement. [29980/16]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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543. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, in the event that the Government has not ratified COP21 in advance of the COP22 conference on 7 to 18 November 2016, Ireland will be able to participate fully in all the institutions involving ratified countries. [29981/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 538, 542 and 543 together.

The Paris Agreement puts in place the necessary framework for all countries to take ambitious action as well as providing for a transparency system to ensure that all countries can have confidence in each other’s efforts. The Agreement aims to tackle 95% of global emissions through 188 Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). Ireland will contribute to the Paris Agreement via the INDC tabled by the EU on behalf of its Member States which commits to a 40% reduction in EU-wide emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. The specific details of the contribution to be made by each Member State to this overall ambition remains to be finalised, and Ireland is currently examining proposals made by the European Commission in this regard.

As of Monday 10 October 2016, 76 Parties to the Convention (including the EU and some of its Member States - France, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Portugal and Malta) accounting in total for 59.91 per cent of the total global greenhouse gas emissions have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval. Therefore, in accordance with Article 21 (1) the Agreement will enter into force at the next Conference of the Parties (COP22) which will be held in Marrakesh from 7 to 18 November 2016.

Ireland is a strong supporter of the Paris Agreement and indicated its continuing commitment by signing the Agreement, along with other EU member states, at the signing ceremony in New York on 22nd April this year. The approval of Dáil Eireann is required for Ireland to ratify the agreement and on-going analysis of the proposed effort sharing to be agreed for 2030 will be critical to informing this debate. Ireland is treating the ratification process as a key priority and intends to initiate the domestic ratification process very soon with a view to early completion.

The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the parties to the Paris Agreement, known as the CMA, has recognised the need for inclusivity and the importance of full Party participation at COP22, and is exploring options to allow for previous governance structures to continue in their operational capacity thus facilitating those parties who have not completed the ratification process by November 7th. Furthermore, those EU Member States who have not ratified by this date will continue to contribute as before in terms of informing the EU position at COP 22. As stated the EU has ratified and continues to represent all Member States at such conferences.