Dr. Tara Quinn:

It is a really good question. The time horizons for adaptation for decision-makers and actors often depend on the context in which they are working. I cannot speak to the time horizons local authorities are planning to now but I can come back to the committee with that information. In terms of coastal planning in Ireland, there is not really an overall coastal management plan. This does somewhat inhibit the ability to plan for these long-term horizons. The planning often stops at 2100. We know, however, that even if we reach the Paris Agreement goals, the sea level will continue to rise for generations afterwards. I will link back to comments made earlier about revising our concept of what coastal areas and areas next to rivers could look like in future, and the need to avoid, if we can, lock-in, that is, the idea that we would put in place adaptation interventions that would address a risk for ten or 20 years but then actually limit our ability to adapt to hazards that may unfold after that time.