Chairman:

I thank the members and my nominator, Deputy Eamon Ryan. It is an honour to be elected Chairman of this important committee. The work we will do over the next few months will have a huge influence on Ireland's future and it could also mean that we will show world leadership in the area of climate action. I take this opportunity to commiserate with my colleauge Deputy Timmy Dooley, who was a member of the Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment with me. We have worked very well together in the past and I know we will do so again. I look forward to working with all members in a very open and collaborative manner. I commend the work of the Citizens' Assembly because it is because of it that we are here today as a special committee to consider its work under the great chairmanship of former Ms Justice Mary Laffoy. We will recommend in our report at the end of our work whatever actions we, as a committee, consider appropriate.