Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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International climate finance is a key priority for the Government and for Ireland’s foreign policy. At COP26 in 2021, I set a target to provide a least €225 million annually in climate finance to developing countries by 2025. My Department subsequently led on the development of Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap as the pathway to achieve this target.

While I was at the UN General Assembly last week, it was again highlighted to me that climate finance is an urgent priority for developing countries, particularly those most vulnerable and least capable to cope with climate impacts.

Many countries continue to face challenges and barriers in accessing climate finance for supporting actions to adapt to climate change. These challenges were raised in several discussions and events that I participated in, including the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, which was chaired by the President of the General Assembly. I used the opportunity of this Dialogue to reiterate Ireland's financing commitment.

Climate finance was also raised in several other UNGA engagements, including the Climate Ambition Summit and the Ministerial meeting on climate-induced Loss and Damage, both of which were attended by my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.

Ireland’s international climate finance prioritises adaptation actions and the Government has been an active advocate for improving access and efficiency in the delivery of climate finance, particularly to highly vulnerable countries such as Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.

We will continue to promote these issues as we prepare for COP28, including through our role on the Transitional Committee on Loss and Damage. The Committee is tasked with operationalising new funding arrangements that were agreed at COP27 last year.