Taoiseach and Tanaiste congratulate Mary Robinson on her appointment as UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Climate Change

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Joan Burton today welcomed the appointment of former President of Ireland Mary Robinson as United Nations Special Envoy for Climate change.

The Taoiseach said, “I was delighted to learn earlier today that Mary Robinson has been appointed the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Climate Change. Mary is an individual of enormous stature internationally with a strong passion for all human rights issues. She has shown an unrelenting and tireless dedication to the causes she believes in, causes that benefit all mankind. Mary has always placed a strong emphasis on the human perspective in all her work. This is obvious also from the work of the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice which though separate will no doubt compliment her new role.

I would like to pay tribute to Mary for all the work she has done to date and I am confident she will bring an unparalleled drive and ambition to the UN’s work on Climate Change. I look forward to working with her as we prepare for the Climate Summit in New York this September.”

The Tánaiste said, “I greatly welcome Mary Robinson’s appointment as Special Envoy for Climate Change and believe that, given the respect in which she is held by global leaders, and her distinguished track record in promoting social and climate justice, she will inject new urgency into the issue ahead of the UN Climate Summit in September.

It is essential that the necessary political will is mobilised to combat climate change. It is a sign of the esteem in which former President Robinson is held that she has been asked to undertake this very difficult but crucial task, and a sign of her longstanding commitment to climate justice that she has accepted it.”