Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2024
135. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the rationale for Ireland intervening in the recently decided European Court of Human Rights Swiss climate case; the size of the legal team involved; the associated costs of that case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17138/24]
View answer137. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what interaction he had with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in relation to Ireland's intervention in the European Court of Human Rights Swiss climate case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17139/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 137 together.
In the case of Verein Klimaseniorinnen Schweiz v Switzerland, I sought and was granted Government approval for Ireland to seek leave to intervene as a third party. This leave was granted by the European Court of Human Rights and written and oral observations were made on behalf of the State.
While the Government shares the environmental concerns of the applicants, the global climate crisis cannot best be addressed by litigation, but instead requires collaborative global efforts – efforts to which this Government is strongly committed.
The Government supports the clarification of the relevant principles of international law, in promoting individual and collective action of States to prevent climate change. To this end, Ireland co-sponsored a UN General Assembly Resolution in March 2023. That resolution requests the International Court of Justice to provide an ‘advisory opinion’ on States’ climate change obligations.
The Department of Foreign Affairs acted as agent on behalf of the Government in the proceedings. The Government was represented at the hearing of this case by one senior counsel and one junior counsel, together with officials from the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Foreign Affairs. The final costs of these proceedings have not been determined and to date no payments have been made by my Department.
