Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)

We are now moving to the second part of the programme this morning. It is a review of Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025. We have representatives from People and Place and the Local Development Companies Network, LDCN. I thank them for being with us.

I will now read a note on privilege and housekeeping matters before I begin. Witnesses and members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make any charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that would be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity.

Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction I may make.

Members attending remotely are reminded of the constitutional requirement that to participate in public meetings, they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex. This is due to the constitutional requirement that to participate in public meetings members must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit. In this regard, I ask members participating via Microsoft Teams to confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House complex if they wish to contribute to the meeting. I remind all those in attendance to make sure their mobile phones are switched off or in silent mode.

Today's meeting concerns a review of Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025. The strategy was launched as a blueprint for rural development when it was published in March 2021. Now is an opportune time to review the strategy, in tandem with the ongoing consultation to forge a new successor strategy for the 2026 to 2030 period. We look forward to reflecting on the strategy and identifying the challenges and opportunities for future rural development. I welcome from People and Place, Maynooth University, Dr. Breandán Ó Caoimh, head of social policy, who is attending virtually; and from the Local Development Companies Network I welcome Mr. Brian Kehoe, chief executive officer of Wexford Local Development, and Ms. Martina Earley, chief executive officer of Roscommon LEADER Partnership. They are all most welcome. I now invite Dr. Ó Caoimh to make his opening remarks.