Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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103. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government given the International Court of Justice new advisory opinion (details supplied), and State's obligations under international human rights law, whether he is still undecided on his stance regarding the legal recognition of the right to a healthy environment at the Council of Europe. [44647/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has been closely following the progress of the proceedings of the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on States’ obligations concerning climate change, having co-sponsored the UN General Assembly Resolution in March 2023 requesting said opinion. The Court delivered its comprehensive opinion on 23 July 2025. While advisory opinions of the Court are not legally binding they are regarded as having significant weight and authority, and contribute to the clarification and development of international law. The Court’s opinion will require detailed consideration.

Ireland has recognised the Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment at a political level, through Resolution 48/13 of the United Nations Human Rights Council in October 2021 and Resolution 76/300 of the United Nations General Assembly in July 2022.

My Department is continuing to diligently consider Ireland’s position on the potential creation of additional instruments protecting the Right to a Healthy Environment within the Council of Europe framework. This includes the potential impacts of the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion.