Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I welcome Ms Tütt, Madam President of the Committee of the Regions. I had the opportunity to work with her during my time on the Committee of the Regions. I am delighted that she is now president of the CoR. It is very well deserved. I saw at first hand the extent to which she was such a positive force and her work on climate, climate change, the circular economy and gender equality. I congratulate her. It is a great honour to be president of the CoR.

I also congratulate Gillian on her appointment as head of the delegation. I acknowledge the presence of the wider delegation members and alternates. I also mention the support staff in the Irish region's office. I see Teresa sitting behind Gillian, as well as Tadhg and Laura. They are so important in supporting the work of the Irish delegation, one that continues to punch above its weight.

I will always be a champion of the CoR and local and regional government. It is so important that we have an influence on the EU legislative and policy agenda, in particular given that 70% of all EU legislation is implemented at local and regional levels.

I fully support the strategy approach of providing a strengthened support to local authorities across Ireland and in particular having eight EU affairs officers across them, based on the former NUTS 2 regions. Does Ms Coughlan agree that it is fair to say that in the absence of having those EU affairs officers, we are leaving money behind us?