Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Clancy for her opening statement. We have agreed that members will take five minutes each to ask questions, which is also to include the answers. All going well, we will have time for multiple rounds. This could be one of the most important sessions we ever do in this committee because it is proving very difficult to get climate action under way at the local level. There is clearly a deficit whereby what seem to be the most straightforward of projects hit brick walls. The witnesses may be able to point to some of the changes required to get communities on board with necessary climate action. I ask members to indicate. Some already have and I will come to them in a moment.

I have a question. Mr. Stanley-Smith stated very clearly that Tipperary was an independent PPN. I would like to know what he means by that. Are the others not independent? I fully agree with Ms Clancy on the role of the State in investing. However, we are seeing a situation in which the State is trying to invest but communities are resisting. There seems to be a problem there. It is not that willingness is wanting on the part of the State but that communities are not agreeable to what we are proposing, whether in respect of public transport, active travel networks or many other things. "Just transition" is a term that if often abused. People will say that we need a fair transition and that it needs to be just but the term is often weaponised and used to resist change. I am really interested to hear the witnesses' thoughts because I believe the PPN is an incredible network that may provide one of the critical answers to getting communities on board with necessary climate action.