Speech by President Catherine Connolly at a reception at Waterford City and County Council
Waterford City Hall, 20 February 2026
A chairde, I am delighted to be here with you all at Waterford City and County Council. May I thank Councillor Séamus Ryan, Mayor of Waterford City and County, for his kind words today.
Having spent 17 years as a City Councillor in Galway, including a year as Mayor of Galway City, I am in no doubt as to the importance of local government. That experience as Councillor and Mayor only served to deepen my respect for the work of elected members and indeed the staff of Local Authorities who work so hard to deliver essential services for their local communities. It also confirmed an opinion I formed early on that decisions affecting people’s lives should be made as close as possible to those whose lives they affect. Indeed, effective and representative local government is a cornerstone of a stable and robust democracy and a source of community empowerment.
As the 10th President of Ireland, I am acutely aware of the privilege that has been bestowed on me, and I can assure you that I will use my voice to represent you in the most inclusive way possible.
Now in the first full year of my Presidency, I am very mindful of the challenges facing our country and our people. Top of the list is the normalisation of war and, tied in with that, the existential challenge of climate change and biodiversity loss. It is approaching 7 years since Ireland declared a climate and biodiversity emergency in May 2019 and over 10 years since we agreed the UN Sustainable Development Goals at global level. The transformative action needed is now even more urgent as we see backsliding on commitments across the globe.
Met Éireann and the EPA now tell us that Summer 2025 was Ireland’s warmest on record, with human-caused climate change making such warm nights 40 times more likely. Projections indicate that Ireland will face 24 percent more winter rainfall, increasing flood risk, and 9 percent less summer rainfall, increasing drought risk, as warming continues. Latest analysis from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service tells us that we can expect “significant ecosystem disruption” as well as the “intensification and increased frequency of extreme events”.
We have regular reminders that we are unlikely to achieve emissions targets and so will face exorbitant fines as a result. Without a doubt, our action or inaction on this and other great global challenges will be felt for generations to come.
Waterford, like so many other parts of the country, has seen up close the destructive effects of climate change in recent years, with severe storms and floods that have been devastating to the lives and livelihoods of so many. I know that Council staff are working hard to manage coastal flood risks, particularly in low-lying areas of Waterford City, Dungarvan, and other areas.
It is my opinion that many of the solutions to the challenges we face must be delivered locally. It is heartening therefore to see great work in progress by local authorities, community groups and social enterprises across a diverse range of areas. The designation of decarbonising zones, local authority climate action plans, retrofitting, biodiversity projects, public transport initiatives, cycleways, to mention just a few of the projects underway – work which highlights what is possible and most importantly gives us all hope and a feeling of involvement. However, meaningful action is needed at every level of society and economy as climate change and the normalisation of war affects every sphere of our lives.
It follows that climate action must be a key component of every policy decision that is made, at all levels. Local authorities, given their unique position in delivery of frontline services, are best placed to lead and implement the necessary changes required. To do so, however, they must be enabled, empowered and resourced.
It is of course important, as President of Ireland, to recognise the great work in progress, including the regeneration of Waterford’s North Quays and the Local Economic and Community Plan that runs to 2029 focusing on fostering a sustainable, vibrant economy in the region. The successful tourism strategy in both the city and county is also a great achievement – with attractions such as the Copper Coast Greenway, the Viking Triangle heritage quarter, Mount Congreve Gardens, and the range of successful festivals proving hugely popular.
May I conclude today by thanking Waterford City and County Council once again for this reception. I wish all the staff and councillors my best wishes as you work together, building on great achievements so far in Waterford, to deliver quality public services that can foster sustainable, resilient and inclusive communities and improve the quality of life for the people of Waterford.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.