Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

222. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of submissions received during consultation on Ireland’s social climate plan; the key issues raised in the submissions; and the timeline for finalisation and publication of the plan. [63452/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department continues to oversee the preparation of Ireland's draft national Social Climate Plan in consultation with relevant Departmental stakeholders and with the European Commission.

The public consultation to inform the development of Ireland's Social Climate Plan, which I launched on 11 September, concluded on 23 October. The consultation received 124 responses, 88 via the EU survey website and 36 directly by e-mail.

Officials are currently reviewing the submissions which will inform the further development of the plan. A high level summary of the feedback received will be available in due course.

My Department continues to work towards the finalisation of the plan. It has agreed a revised timeframe of end March 2026 with the European Commission for the submission of the plan to the Commission for its final approval.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

223. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated cost of Ireland's participation in COP30, including travel and accommodation for the delegation. [63543/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

COP30, the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, is currently taking place in Belém, Brazil from 10–21 November. For the first time, the World Leader’s Summit took place before the official start of COP, from 06–07 November. During the World Leader’s Summit, Ireland was represented by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, whilst Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, attended during the first week, from 12-13 November. I will lead Ireland’s National Delegation to COP30 for the second week of the conference, from 17–21 November.

The costs associated with my Department's participation at the conference are not finalised as COP30 is still ongoing and as such, there are pending items to be addressed and payments to be finalised. Once COP has concluded and all financial matters closed, I will be happy to furnish full details from my Department. Questions with respect to the costs incurred by other Departments or Agencies in relation to COP30 should be directed to the appropriate Department or Agency concerned.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

224. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government Ireland's plans for participation in COP30; the composition of the official Irish delegation; the ministerial or departmental engagements planned during the conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63544/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Ireland is committed to concerted global action to address the climate crisis 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. Ireland has actively engaged with EU partners in preparation for the 30th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP30) in Belem, Brazil which is currently taking place from 10 November – 21 November.

For the first time, the World Leader’s Summit took place before the official start of COP from 6 to 7 November. During the World Leader’s Summit, Ireland was represented by the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, whilst Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, attended during the first week, from 12 -13 November. I will lead Ireland’s National Delegation to COP30 for the second week of the conference, from 17 – 21 November.

Ireland’s delegation includes 56 representatives across four Government Departments and two Agencies. This number also includes two Climate Youth Delegates under my Department.

Officials are engaged across a range of EU negotiating teams linked to priority areas for Ireland including; loss and damage, adaptation, science, and climate finance.

My engagement at COP30 will focus 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. Once COP30 has concluded, I will be happy to provide further details in relation to my role at COP30, including a full list of the Ministerial events attended on behalf of my Department.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

225. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the key policy priorities and negotiating positions Ireland aims to advance at COP30; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63545/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This week, I am leading the Irish national climate delegation at COP30 for the week of political negotiations. I also look forward to playing an active part of the EU team, working to reach a positive outcome from negotiations.

Following the characterisation of COP29 as the “finance COP”, the focus of COP30 has turned to implementation and, as such, there are no headline negotiation items for this COP. The EU will be looking for a balanced outcome that encompasses all key negotiation areas.

Making progress on mitigation is a key priority for the EU and Ireland after the failure to make meaningful progress in this area at COP29. Central to progress on mitigation must be consideration of the new Nationally Determined Contributions which will set out how Parties intend to reduce emissions up to 2035. Ireland submits a joint NDC with its EU partners.

A strong outcome on adaptation will also be central to this COP. The focus of negotiations for adaptation at COP30 will be the Global Goal on Adaptation and its indicators. This highly technical work has been ongoing since COP28. Ireland looks forward to the agreement of the indicators at COP30.

While climate finance will not be as central to COP30 as it was to COP29, it is still expected to deliver some key outcomes. The Baku to Belém Roadmap to 1.3T, mandated at COP29, was published on the 5 November and is currently being considered by the Irish and EU officials. This is not a negotiated item and how it will be reflected in the final outcome remains to be seen. The first week of technical negotiations have also seen discussions on Article 9.1 and adaptation finance amongst Parties. Both I and my officials are monitoring the progress of these discussions closely.

Ireland is advocating for the development of a Roadmap on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels as a key outcome of this COP. Building on the first Global Stocktake and its energy outcomes, such a Roadmap could significantly benefit the much needed energy transition and increase greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

COP30 will be a key milestone for Team Ireland, in particular as we prepare for COP31 at which Ireland will hold the Presidency of the EU and lead the COP negotiations on its behalf.