David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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252. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the preparations made with respect to taking part in the 26th annual session of the Conference of the Parties to be held in Glasgow in November 2021; the size and composition of the Irish delegation that will attend; the ways in which interested members of the public can attend and be involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15448/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Ireland is committed to concerted global action to address the climate challenge and engages in negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement through its membership of the European Union (EU). Ireland, together with its EU partners, is currently preparing for the 26th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP26) in Glasgow, United Kingdom, which takes place from 1 to 12 November 2021.

The EU and its Member States support further climate ambition from all Parties to the Paris Agreement.  A positive outcome at COP26 is critical to secure accelerated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to avoid irreversible climate change.  Ireland, together with its EU partners, is committed to engaging in a productive and transparent process with other countries over the coming months in order to facilitate progress on the work required to fully prepare for COP26.  This work must also uphold the principles of inclusivity and transparency for party, as well as for non-party, participants. Ireland will champion such an approach in our ongoing engagement with the United Kingdom in its role as COP26 Presidency.

Given ongoing travel and other restrictions associated with the Covid19 pandemic, it is premature for me to provide any indications of the size and composition of the Irish delegation for the COP.