Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)

I do not want to get bogged down in a top versus bottom of the hill argument. Where there are existing buildings is often a good place to consider construction. Those who built 50, 100 or 200 years ago had to think long, hard and carefully about where to build because they did not have JCBs or oil. Deferring to our ancestors makes a lot of sense.

Deputy Tuffy spoke about the adaptation strategy. I want to see that strategy published as soon as possible. We have already published the guidelines for planning authorities on the planning system and flood risk management. These are a key step towards adaptation to climate change, certainly in the area of flooding. We must respond to many other aspects of climate change. The question of cheap and abundant oil feeds into that. Reducing energy demand has an influence over the type of settlement pattern we choose. I am glad we have published guidelines on flood risk management. They are a key step towards not repeating the mistakes of the past.

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