Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
178. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to list the number of Ministers, ministerial special advisers and officials who are attending all or part of the "COP 30" conference in Brazil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66818/25]
View answerThe 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in Belem, Brazil from 10 November – 21 November and was preceded by the World Leader’s Summit which took place from 06 – 07 November, also in Belem. 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 of COP30, from 12 -13 November. I led Ireland’s National Delegation for the second week of the conference, from 17 – 21 November.
The Taoiseach was accompanied at the World Leader’s Summit by two special advisors. Minister of State Richmond was accompanied during the first week of COP30 by one special advisor. Two special advisors accompanied me for the duration of the second week at COP30.
Across the 3 weeks, Ireland’s delegation included 56 representatives across four Government Departments and two Agencies. This number also includes two Climate Youth Delegates under my Department. Officials were engaged at COP30 across a range of EU negotiating teams linked to priority areas for Ireland including; loss and damage, adaptation, science, and climate finance. A number of the official delegation were also responsible for logistics and operations, as well as preparing for Ireland’s role as holding the EU Presidency during COP31 in 2026.
My own engagement at COP30 focused 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.
