Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this matter, which is very clear to everyone who looks at it objectively. I am taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. The challenge posed by rising sea levels is clear. The Deputy asked me to confirm whether the Government believes it. Yes, we do. It is clear for anybody to see. The practical implementation of measures to mitigate these risks, particularly for coastal communities, is of critical importance. I welcome the opportunity to bring some clarity on this particular matter.

Ireland’s coastal areas face many challenges associated with climate change not only due to projected sea level rises, but also from increased storm frequency and intensity. These challenges have complex and multifaceted effects and there is a need for a framework to inform key decisions as to how the State should best manage its changing coast having regard to such future risks and taking account of the complex interrelationships that result from the interaction between the marine environment and the terrestrial environment.

With respect to responding to coastal change, local authorities are generally responsible for the management of problems associated with coastal change and erosion in their respective administrative areas. Other coastal risks, such as risks to transport, agriculture and business, are addressed locally and through sectoral responses. I acknowledge that coastal erosion is a natural and ongoing process which takes place around the national coastline, the results of which are complex and multifaceted. Coastal change may well threaten infrastructure such as roads and may undermine and cause damage to properties. However, it should also be recognised that coastal erosion also has beneficial effects to the local environment, such as providing natural nourishment and supply of sediment to adjacent beaches.

Following a request by An Taoiseach, the Office of Public Works, OPW, carried out research on the impacts of sea level rises and coastal erosion arising from climate change on coastal communities. As a result of this, the Government established an interdepartmental group on national coastal change management strategy to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The interdepartmental group is jointly chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Office of Public Works and is supported by a technical working group. The scoping report on managing coastal change has now been finalised and it will be submitted to Government for consideration very shortly.

There are a number of ongoing programmes to inform how mitigation of the effects of coastal erosion can be tackled. For example, I understand that the OPW commenced a coastal monitoring survey programme in 2020. Five initial target sites at Portrane, Rosslare, Ballyheigue, Lahinch, and Rosses Point were selected based on their significant exposure to coastal erosion and change or on the recommendations of associated detailed coastal studies already undertaken. Additional sites are being added to this list on an annual basis. The information derived from the programme will inform and support the planning, design and construction of new critical coastal infrastructure and the ongoing assessment of the performance of such infrastructure and will also assist with the planning and preparation of any necessary future adaptation of same due to climate change.

It is acknowledged that there is a need for a longer-term co-ordinated approach to tackle the issue of coastal change to provide a framework for key decisions to be taken on how Ireland can best manage its coast, being aware of the future risks and the associated planning requirements.

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