Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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Apologies have been received from Deputies Bruton and Whitmore. This meeting is to discuss the challenge and opportunity of climate action at local level, specifically regarding the role of local authorities. I welcome Mr. Paddy Mahon, chair, climate action, transport and networks committee of the County and City Management Association, CCMA, and chief executive of Longford County Council; Mr. Peter Burke, Local Government Management Agency, LGMA, and the climate action, transport and networks committee of the CCMA; and Ms Eleanor Ryan, LGMA, who is joining us online. From the climate adaptation regional offices, CAROs, I welcome Mr. Joe Boland, regional lead, eastern and midlands CARO; Mr. David Dodd, Dublin metropolitan CARO; Mr. Liam Bergin, regional lead, Dublin metropolitan CARO; Mr. Kevin Motherway, Atlantic seaboard south CARO, who is joining us online; Mr. Louis Duffy, regional lead, Atlantic seaboard south CARO, also joining us online; and Mr. Martin Keating, Atlantic seaboard north CARO.

From the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, we have Councillor Nicholas Crossan, president, and Mr. Tommy Moylan, director, both of whom join us online. All of the witnesses are very welcome.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make 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 might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in regard to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction. For the witnesses who attend remotely from outside the Leinster House campus, or join us online, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as does a witness who is physically present on the campus.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members they may participate in this meeting only if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex. In this regard, I ask any member joining us online to confirm, prior to making his or her contribution, that he or she is on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I invite Mr. Mahon to make his opening statement.