Eamon Ryan to make return flight from Cop28 to vote in Dáil

The Taoiseach noticeably did not refer to "phasing out" fossil fuels in his address, but spoke of how Cop28 should "set us on a clear path to a safe and planned reduction in the use of fossil fuels"

Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan will double his carbon footprint by travelling from the climate talks to Ireland for the vote on Ms McEntee in the Dáil on Tuesday. 

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan will fly back to Ireland from Dubai to vote in a no-confidence motion on Helen McEntee before returning to continue his work at the Cop28 Climate Summit in the United Arab Emirates. 

Mr Ryan will double his carbon footprint by travelling from the climate talks to Ireland for the vote on Ms McEntee in the Dáil on Tuesday. After the vote, he will fly back again to Dubai to continue the climate discussions.

Sinn Féin tabled a motion of no-confidence in Minister McEntee following the Dublin riots.

Speaking at COP28, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the need to take the extra flights was "not ideal."

"There are no pairs for confidence motions other than for illness, so as a result of that, Minister Ryan will have to go home and come back again," Mr Varadkar said.

Mr Varadkar said Mr Ryan would "offset the emissions" from the extra flights, saying: "We have a mechanism for doing that".

The Taoiseach said the Government would "much rather if it weren’t necessary," but he said the motion was put down by Sinn Féin.

He insisted the motion of no-confidence "can only fail."

Earlier, Mr Varadkar said Ireland is struggling to make as much progress on tackling emissions as needed and must do a better job in explaining the benefits of a low-carbon society.

Speaking at Cop28 in Dubai as the second day of world leaders took centre stage, Mr Varadkar said there are "legitimate concerns" around the transition for the average citizen.

Mr Varadkar noticeably did not refer to "phasing out" fossil fuels in his address, but spoke of how Cop28 should "set us on a clear path to a safe and planned reduction in the use of fossil fuels".

The difference between "phasing down" and "phasing out" has been the source of contention for governments across the world, with the likes of former president Mary Robinson and environmental activists calling for their complete elimination in order to have any shot of keeping global warming to 1.5C as outlined in the Paris Agreement of 2015.

According to the Paris Agreement of 2015, reached at Cop21, a 1.5C rise in temperatures was set as the limit for the rise globally compared to 1850-1900, in order to stave off the very worst fallout from climate change.

Mr Varadkar said: "With the cost-of-living and high energy prices, many worry about how much the transition will cost and what it will mean for their jobs and incomes and living standards. 

"Those are legitimate concerns. We need to understand where people are coming from and offer reassurance. 

"Change is difficult, but we must do everything in our power to make the transition just, protecting the vulnerable and leaving nobody behind."

Leaders must better explain the transition, he said.

"We need to do a better job explaining the benefits - a liveable planet, cleaner air, new jobs and economic opportunities; a more secure world, with less conflict over resources, more reliable energy, fewer people on the move from homes that can no longer support them."

People walk through the venue at the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit on Friday, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Picture: AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

The new €14bn Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund announced in this year's budget and a Future Ireland Fund "will put billions aside for future investment for future generations", he said.

"We have a carbon tax to incentivise the shift from fossil fuels with money used to ensure a just transition, retrofitting our housing stock, installing EV charging points, and helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.

"We have a new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority to oversee Ireland’s renewable energy revolution and harness our vast offshore wind potential, powering millions of homes and businesses across the continent with clean, renewable energy," he said.

Ireland as a wealthy country needs to do more, he admitted.

"We are struggling to make as much progress as needed. We are constantly looking at ways to improve," he said.

Ireland will commit €25m to the new loss and damage fund agreed on day one of Cop28, according to Mr Varadkar.

“Loss and damage” refers to the consequences of climate change that go beyond what people can adapt to, while “climate finance” refers to major nations paying a fairer share towards climate change bolstering in smaller nations.

Agreement was reached in the earliest hours of Cop28 to start paying into the fund, after a landmark agreement on loss and damage was agreed after years of geopolitical tussling at last year's Cop27 in Egypt.

Mr Varadkar said: "Today I am announcing a contribution of €25m to the new Loss and Damage Fund for 2024 and 2025. We will make further contributions thereafter."

On day one of Cop28, delegates agreed to start putting into the fund, kickstarting nations to contribute. The UAE kicked in $100m, as did Germany as part of an overall EU package of $245m, while Britain gave $51m, and the US $17.5m.