Labour Party Leader Ivana Bacik has urged Taoiseach Michael Martin and the Irish Government to show leadership in COP27 negotiations.

Two recent reports have revealed the scale of climate change taking place both globally and in Europe.

Deputy Bacik said the time to tackle the problem is "running out".

She said: "The failure of the COP process to deliver outcomes as opposed to commitments is generating cynicism amongst many. Greta Thunberg’s criticisms are understandable. But the COP process is the only multilateral forum we have, so it is incumbent on us to deliver on commitments made here.

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"Last year's COP in Glasgow concluded with commitments that Governments would advance their positions over the last 12 months and that further progress would be made in Egypt. We must tackle people's concerns head on now and show a resolve commensurate with the challenge.

"There is frustration that public pronouncements and negotiating positions of many northern countries are out of sync. I am calling on the Taoiseach to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Ireland can do more.

"I expect the Taoiseach to play a positive role in unlocking the global financing issues identified by NGOs like Trocaire here. I expect new financial commitments from Ireland. As the recent fiscal returns indicate, we can well afford to do so.

"We also need to show leadership on signing up to and advocating for the adoption of a global Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, as sought by activists and environmental groups worldwide.

"Here in Ireland, we also need to see more urgent action from Government, with the need to take a whole of Government approach, and to ramp up the delivery of measures necessary to meet our crucial climate emissions reductions targets."