Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he would consider Ireland hosting a future Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54025/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, more commonly known as COP, meets annually in a location decided by the Parties. In practice, the COP is usually hosted in the country which holds the Presidency of the COP, which rotates amongst the five regional groupings. Ireland is a member of the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) which is scheduled to hold the Presidency for COP31 (2026). Based on a five year schedule, WEOG could next be expected to hold the Presidency for COP36 (2031).

The COP is the largest annual United Nations event and the hosting of a COP is a substantial undertaking by any Presidency. Preparing for a COP is a multi-annual process, involving complex logistical, security and diplomatic efforts, and requiring considerable financial expenditure from the host country.

There are currently no plans for Ireland to seek the COP Presidency.