Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
100. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on Ireland’s engagement with the Arctic Council's requests for formal recognition of the State’s interest in the work of the council, observer or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31241/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has been exploring ways in which to enhance its engagement with the Arctic region for a number of years. As an island nation at the edge of Europe in the North Atlantic, the fundamental changes in the Arctic region impact directly on Ireland, not least in terms of environmental issues and climate change, with rising sea levels of immediate concern. The Government’s Nordic Strategy sets out Ireland’s intention to deepen engagement in the region, including through considering an application for Observer status to the Arctic Council.
As the Deputy may be aware, Ireland previously applied for Observer status to the Arctic Council in December 2020, along with two other EU States. The admission of Observers is a matter decided by Ministers of the eight Arctic States (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, USA and Russia). While it was expected Ireland’s application would be considered at the biennial Ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council in Reykjavik May 2021, marking the end of Iceland’s two-year chair of the Council and handover to the Russian Federation chair, the three applications concerned were in the event not placed on the agenda.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the work of the Arctic Council has largely been in abeyance, given the suspension of cooperation with the Russian Federation. The other seven members have however stated their intention to resume limited scientific and research project work in the Arctic Council which had been previously approved by all members but without the participation of Russian stakeholders. On 11 May 2023, Norway assumed the chair of the Arctic Council from the Russian Federation and Ireland looks forward to working closely with the Norwegian chair, the other six Arctic States and the indigenous peoples' Permanent Participants over the next two years.
Ireland continues to engage with Arctic issues with a sustained interest to become an Observer of the Arctic Council, subject to Government approval and at the appropriate time.
