Mr. Charles Stanley-Smith:

I thank the Cathaoirleach and I also thank the Deputies and Senators for inviting us along for a discussion. I am a member of the secretariat of the very proudly independent PPN of Tipperary. I am also on the Department of Rural and Community Development's national advisory group for PPNs as a representative of the environmental pillar.

I will start with a quick reintroduction to public participation networks, PPNs. PPNs have three main functions: participation, which is influencing policy; information, a two-way flow to allow the influence of policy; and capacity building to help and grow member groups. They are a single organisation where community and voluntary social inclusion and environmental groups can come together and provide a formal method of participation to all those local groups. PPNs have a flat structure, are bottom-up and independent, and the decision making resides with the plenary or general meeting of all groups. Tipperary PPN is having its plenary on Thursday for example and these are regular twice-a-year events. There is no hierarchy, no chairman and all PPN members are equal. Members of PPNs find it all a bit strange at the start but once they have tried and understood the principles, they come on board and get involved with this very friendly structure. There is no power grabbing or people who stay in place for ever. This will possibly be my last public appearance as a secretary and member of the Tipperary network because I have nearly outstayed my welcome and will be going at the end of the year. This equality leads to increased participation and organisational, meeting and facilitation skills, along with greater transparency, accountability, inclusivity and diversity. One can see how a number of our members have grown as a result of being involved in the PPN structure and been given the opportunity to get thoroughly involved.

PPNs have direct participation in local authority policy groups and other local boards and use that to bring the community, environment and social inclusion voice directly to the local authority. PPNs are a huge source of expertise. We have 1,000 groups in Tipperary and possibly approximately 10,000 or 20,000 members who all have individual skills and practical and theoretical expertise covering all aspects of life.

The PPNs also provide information on all aspects of the county, including funding opportunities and local government consultations. They channel information to groups in order to respond to these and often produce an agreed PPN response. PPNs provide capacity building in terms of help and training of their groups. The other thing that nearly every PPN has either done, or is involved in now, is creating county community well-being statements. These are a well-being statement of a community, not individual people. It is the feeling of the people of the county, what they see for the county and their wish for the county. These statements are the basis of all interactions as they lay out the wishes for which the PPN feels it should strive.

Members of the committee may ask what is happening now in terms of climate action. I refer them to the excellent report from the Kerry PPN on climate conversations which took place in Kerry recently. I hope members received the copy I enclosed with my statement. These conversations are representative of other dialogues which have taken place around the country.

The key points of the people attending the climate conversations are as follows. There is a need to see action on points raised in earlier consultations. Members felt they have been consulted once and come along to find they are being asked they same questions again. It was highlighted that real change needs whole of government and whole systems and all community working together in unison. Joined up thinking was also mentioned and the lack of a whole-of-government approach to bringing the community along with it in any proactive manner. Communication was considered to be a key factor in this joined up thinking, along with the ability to challenge Government Departments which are not sharing and linking. Again and again, Departments link in with community and voluntary groups with regards to consultations, but are they really listened to or is it a tick box exercise? Members wondered how many times community groups need to be asked before changes take place. Departments to empower the community to do the work themselves. Lifestyle and behavioural changes also needed to take place.

There is a need to share existing good practice and this requires leadership. Elements of the climate action fund need to be ring-fenced for small projects which could be delivered by community groups. Education initiatives are key to awareness raising and increasing engagement. Sectoral education and awareness raising is important, as is how fishing, farming, tourism industries can all carry out their work and minimise the impact on the environment. Funding should enable partnership work involving community groups and local authorities to deliver on local actions and to explore local solutions. The LEADER programme delivery was given as a successful example. The challenge is how to reduce fossil fuel use in all areas of society. All funding proposals must be climate and biodiversity-proofed. There are EU documents available on this process. More ecological corridors around our towns and villages, interconnecting all places with natural habitats, which double up as nature-based climate solutions are needed. Clear communication about the role of ecological systems in our lives and the connection to well-being, clean air, soil, green spaces, blue spaces, etc was raised. More green urban spaces to sit and walk in, highlighting the links to health and well-being and a need for a peaceful environment, greater access and visibility of biodiversity were raised. Space should be given to nature, protecting the habitats and ecosystems we have around us in the country, restoration of habitats and ecosystems and a focus put on interconnecting them with ecological corridors was raised, as was green transport, more cycle ways and closer connections with farmers through, for example, community supported agriculture and support for farmers markets, local food networks and initiatives. Support is also needed for projects focusing on: decarbonisation, reducing energy use, restoration of biodiversity, sustainable travel, regenerative food systems and community supported agriculture, green infrastructure and ecosystem services.

Currently many people, especially in rural areas, are locked into car transport. There is a need for a link with UN global sustainable development goals and with climate, ecological and social justice. There is a requirement for a multidisciplinary or cross-departmental approach at Government and local authority level to join the dots and connections between the issues and responses.

What needs to happen? Currently, there are, or soon must be, consultations on the many interlinked problems such as climate action, water, with the river basin management plans coming up soon, biodiversity, waste, circular economy, sustainable development goals, planning transport and energy.

PPNs are ready, willing and able to contribute but they need additional resources to achieve this and there must be co-ordination and buy-in at Government and local level in all aspects. PPNs know how to participate; let to do so.