Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2009
215 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will use the overseas aid budget to pay for climate debt to poor countries; if he supports the position that 100% of the funds promised to support climate adaptation in developing countries, as part of the current UN climate negotiations, should be additional to official development assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47405/09]
View answer216 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his role in discussions taking place at EU level, and at Copenhagen, for funding to developing countries affected by climate change; the position being promoted by him at EU level for separation of funding for overseas development aid and climate change funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47406/09]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.
The Government's preparations for participation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen have involved extensive consultation and coordination between a number of Ministers and Departments. The Government is represented at the Conference by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Taoiseach will travel to Copenhagen tomorrow to head Ireland's delegation in the final stages of the negotiations for an ambitious new climate change agreement. Earlier this week, I attended a meeting of EU Development Ministers in Copenhagen in order to underline the importance of the links between climate change and development. We held discussions with Ministers from a number of developing countries, including Ethiopia, Lesotho, Bangladesh, Ghana and Mali, focusing on ways in which the EU can support them in responding to the huge challenges of climate change.
At our meeting, we explored practical ways to ensure that international development efforts are wholly coherent with the international response to climate change. We agreed on the need to further integrate climate change activities into our development programmes and, in doing so, to focus on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable people and communities.
The Government and our EU partners recognise that significantly increased financial resources will be required in order to support developing countries as they cope with the impact of climate change. The EU also recognises clearly that climate change financing must not undermine or jeopardise the fight against poverty. The EU is committed to paying its fair share within a new global climate change agreement. At last week's meeting of the European Council in Brussels, it was agreed that the EU and its Member States would contribute €2.4 billion annually in fast-start funding for the three years 2010 to 2012 to support the climate change needs of developing countries. The Taoiseach pledged that Ireland would contribute up to €100 million over this three-year period.
The Government agrees that the financing provided must be adequate, reliable, and predictable, and that it must be delivered in a way that complements development assistance. The exact composition of Ireland's fast-start funding package will be finalised by the Government. It will include substantial new and additional funding for developing countries.
