Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the representatives of Save Cork City and the OPW for attending today. I commend the OPW on its many years of good work in Cork city. Irrespective of people's view of the particular scheme, it is a civic service to interrogate a project such as this in an intensive way. Public consultation is a regular cause of frustration for public representatives. At most public consultations, we are the only ones there. Unfortunately it is the nature of it regardless of how well they are advertised. Unfortunately it is not until a bit down the stream, for want of a better term, that one very often realises the concerns that people have. That applies to roads, bridges and anything one can think of.

As my questions are brief, I will put all of them together. I ask the witnesses from Save Cork City about the HR Wallingford report. Did it take account of the implications for the shipping channels in Cork Harbour? Would its proposed location at Horsehead have any implications for leisure use by people living in Monkstown and Passage West?

The OPW presentation indicated that the outline of the HR Wallingford report might not be sustainable in the context of global warming. I ask for a response to that. There are different designs at each different section along the north quays and south quays; there are railings, walls and glass and places where it is being left alone. While I know it can be said that there are implications for the whole project where are the sections of most concern from a heritage point of view?

My next question is for the OPW. The witnesses from Save Cork City have made a point relating to global warming.

I cannot remember the extent but a rise in sea levels, unfortunately, is not inconceivable and the walls are not adequate in height and would have to be increased to protect the city and achieve the same end. Is that something that has been explored? What is the view of the witnesses on the possibility of having to increase the current height of the walls?

Regardless of the current circumstances and the cost-benefit analysis, do the witnesses believe that in the future a flood barrier might be feasible? What are the implications for the special protection area? What would be the impact of either project on the Cork Harbour special protection area?

From the point of view of the OPW, a certain heritage loss has been factored in. How significant will it be? Is it possible to say how many metres of stone walls on the quays will be affected?