Delegates headed to the airport in Belém at the weekend after the COP30 negotiations with very little to show for it, unfortunately. We know that the COP process is the only game in town in terms of multilateral agreements and reaching consensus-based decisions on something as significant as climate. While some commitments were made in terms of funding climate adaptation in small island developing states and developing countries, it still fell well short of what was required. A last-minute scramble by the Brazilian hosts to try to salvage something from the talks did lead to some agreement, it was a very watered-down version of what should have been there. Two previous COPs had mentioned and discussed the phasing out of fossil fuels and this has been the main bone of contention. The EU, unfortunately, in the first week of the COP did not play a great leadership role but it certainly stepped up in the latter end of the negotiations.

The Irish Government takes up the Presidency of the EU in the latter half of 2026. It is imperative that we start working collaboratively with our EU colleagues now because we will be leading the negotiations at COP31 and at the biodiversity COP. It is critically important that we show leadership. Our Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, both went out and made really lofty and very well-meaning speeches at Belém but, unfortunately, their words do not match their actions here in Ireland. It is critically important that we show leadership and that could start with Ireland ceding to the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty. Many countries have already signed up to it as have many municipalities, including Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, by way of a resolution of members. That would be a first signal of intent by the Irish Government and would show leadership at EU level among other member states.

I would welcome the opportunity to have a debate in this House in the new year on the outcome of the Belém talks. We seem to be careering towards disaster, with many tipping points already being reached. We are seeing the climate catastrophe unfold right around the world on a daily basis. It is critically important that Ireland steps up now in the wake of the very poor outcome of COP30. We must look towards COP31 and show the leadership that we have been good at in so many other facets of foreign policy. This is the one where we really need to show leadership.