The former US Secretary of State has lashed out at world leaders who lie about the climate crisis and dismiss the scientific evidence.

Tanaiste Simon Coveney described it as an unprecedented gathering of people and leaders who are interested in solutions to the challenges facing the planet.

More than 30 Heads of State, UN representatives and ambassadors are to attend a special summit in Cork to highlight challenges small island nations face from climate change and to galvanise efforts to protect the world’s seas.

A Maltese naval crew will arrive in Haulbowline in the next few weeks to be trained to operate the LÉ Aoife, which was gifted to Malta amid some controversy.

The Government is to gift one of its Naval Service ships to the Maltese to help them cope with the ongoing refugee crisis in the Mediterranean and is planning to deploy Irish ships on an EU anti-piracy missions off Somalia.