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

I thank the Deputy for his further remarks. The managing coastal change report has now been finalised. I am not sure what was said on the previous occasion. It will be submitted to the Government very shortly. The report is finalised and is not still being worked on. I mention that particularly.

It is clear that tackling coastal change management in response to climate change will be complex and multifaceted. A range of research, policy and consequent management responses will be required. Even with comprehensive monitoring systems and a policy of appropriate intervention, it is inevitable that the State will be faced with complex challenges that may mean that many people will have to make difficult choices in the future. Measures and mechanisms will have to be put in place to allow for a considered response that recognises at its heart that it is people and communities that have to be made safe and sustainable. A key objective is to put in place a roadmap for responding to these challenges in a structured and planned way to provide the basis for a long-term strategy for integrated coastal change management.

I take the Deputy's point that some of the response dealt more with coastal erosion issues than sea level rises. I will speak to the Minister directly on this matter later on today and I will highlight that the emphasis of this debate is on sea level rises rather than the coastal erosion that is happening in different spots around the country. The Deputy especially highlighted that sea levels are predicted to rise by 300 mm, or a foot in old language, by 2050. It is a much bigger challenge. The issue of coastal erosion arises in particular areas due to particular circumstances but this is a much broader global issue. I will speak to the Minister directly on the Deputy's behalf today.

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