Professor Brian Ó Gallachóir:

I thank Deputy O'Rourke for his questions. I have two points to make regarding the climate action ecosystem. The first has probably been discussed in meetings of one of the other Oireachtas committees. I refer to how universities are struggling financially. They are not receiving the funding that was promised and, in addition, they are dealing with cost overruns. There is a two-sided problem that needs to be addressed. It reflects a wider challenge in terms of public sector funding. As Dr. Torney mentioned, while we have seen Departments build up capacity on climate action, there are significant capacity deficits in places like An Bord Pleanála, for example. In that case, the deficit is affecting the timing of planning decisions on certain infrastructure projects that are necessary for accelerating the transition. An Bord Pleanála is just one example. There are other areas across the public sector where the same issue arises.

The second point is that I really like the idea of a climate action ecosystem. There is a framing that can be used that involves looking at the issues from the top down. The Deputy referred to the governance that has been introduced over recent years, which we have already discussed. Then there are the bottom-up pressures, which relate to people's attitudes, as reflected in the Climate Change in the Irish Mind research, Fridays for Future and other initiatives that are engaging actively on climate action. Of course, neither a top-down nor bottom-up approach will achieve the change we need without there being something in the middle. The public sector is part of that middle piece.

The Deputy may be interested to hear that we have done some work on the role of intermediaries, which is an approach that is starting to be increasingly highlighted. More needs to be done in this area. I refer to organisations like the GAA, for instance, and the work it is doing on climate action. Work is also being done by the LEADER groups and community development organisations. There is a whole network of untapped potential in the organisations that are already active and taking action on climate. It is about mapping the ecosystem more clearly, first, and then trying to connect the dots. That links strongly to Deputy Bruton's point about needing to build from that ecosystem towards a national pride in sustainability. I really like the term "climate action ecosystem". There is a lot that could be developed from it.