Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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172. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he or any officials from his Department or from bodies under the aegis of his Department travelled to the Sharm el-Sheikh Climate Change Conference; the number who travelled; the costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57313/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I led Ireland’s National Delegation to COP27 for the continuation of the high-level segment during the second week of the conference from Monday 14 to 20 November. Ireland’s Delegation included representation across several Departments and Agencies, I was accompanied by two Advisors and eight officials from my Department. Officials are engaged across a range of EU negotiating teams linked to a number of priority areas for Ireland including loss and damage, science, gender and climate finance. I represented the EU in the loss and damage negotiations which were seen as critical to the successful outcome of this COP and a key issue for Ireland.

In parallel to the negotiations my engagement at COP27 focused on supporting Ireland’s climate priorities, which includes promoting greater ambition, accelerating a shift away from fossil fuel dependence and calling for increased climate finance, with improved accessibility and quality of adaptation finance going to the most vulnerable.  As part of the commitment to provide €225 million per year in climate finance by 2025, a more than doubling of our support, I announced a funding package of €24m at COP27 to support climate action in developing countries. This includes new funding of over €18m, including €1 million to the Special Climate Change Fund to support adaptation action in Small Island Developing States, €11 million for the Global Environment Fund, €1 million to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and €5 million to the Global Shield Against Climate Risks to protect the most vulnerable from climate loss and damage (part of €10million announced by the Taoiseach on 8 November). I  also participated at membership meetings of high-level coalitions, including the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA), the High Ambition Coalition and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition.

The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. My Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations

In relation to associated travel and accommodation costs, final details are not yet available, as these are still being collated. Details will be finalised in the coming weeks.