The government has appointed a new chair and has re-appointed three current members to the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC).

Alex White has been appointed as the new chair of the CCAC) for a five-year term, with effect from March 24.

White is a senior counsel and accredited mediator who is the director general of the Institute of International and European Affairs.

White is also a member of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board and of the Board of Trinity College Dublin.

He previously served as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources during 2014 to 2016 and Minister of State at the Department of Health during 2012 to 2014.

The government has also re-appointed the following three current members to CCAC:

Prof. Peter Thorne, with expertise in climate science, has been re-appointed for a period of five years with effect from March 24;
Dr. Cara Augustenborg, with expertise in agricultural policy, has been re-appointed for a period of five years with effect from October 12;
Jillian Mahon, with expertise in finance, has been re-appointed for a period of five years with effect from October 12.

The council's members will assist in its activities, including advising ministers and government on climate policy; conducting annual and periodic reviews of progress in furthering the achievement of reducing emissions; and proposing carbon budgets to Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien.

Appointments

Commenting on the appointments, Minister O'Brien said: "At the outset, I would like to express my thanks to the outgoing chair Marie Donnelly for her contribution and commitment to the council.

"I wish to welcome the new chair of the council, Alex White.”

The minister said that White will bring “a breadth of relevant expertise and experience to the role of chair across the legal, energy, communications, political and stakeholder fields”.

Minister O'Brien added: "It was also important to ensure business continuity and to address the large turnover of the council.

“As such, I also wish to express my gratitude to the three current members being re-appointed for a second term.

The minister noted that four vacancies on the council remain to be filled.

"It is my intention to bring a further memorandum to government shortly with recommendation to fill all current and upcoming vacancies in 2026," he said.