Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Professor Stott for coming before the committee. His contribution - in plain straightforward language - was very useful. Let us assume we have moved beyond denial. The evidence across the globe stacks up - it is undeniable that there is climate change. The vast majority of people accept that. The danger of rising sea levels to infrastructure is an issue that bothered Ireland because it is an island nation. At the present rate of increase in global warming, will Professor Stott tell us what this means for the city of Liverpool or for London, which has a population of 8 million or 9 million people? Some of the households in those cities are situated just a couple of metres above water level? What is the timeline? What is the extent of the risk?

It may be unfair to ask Professor Stott about the Irish situation because he is probably more familiar with the situation in England. However, does what he envisages mean that there could eventually be seawater flowing up Kildare Street? I was at an event earlier in the year at which was displayed a map on which one quarter of Ireland was shown as being underwater. Everybody talks about what Government needs to do - and I am sure Government needs to take action - but individuals, local authorities, businesses, households and farmers have to do something. In terms of society overall, what are the three biggest things we need to do in the next two to three years?