Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)

I read the EPA report. It is a little unexciting - that may be the way to put it.

There are four really good priority risks identified well in the report. These include the risk of disruption and damage to energy transmission and distribution infrastructure due to extreme wind, which is exactly what happened during Storm Éowyn. There is a similar risk to communications, which is also what happened with Storm Éowyn. To be fair, the ESB was a lot faster than the telecommunications providers in their response and that is something that must be looked at. There is also risk of disruption, damage and loss of transport infrastructure due to sea level rises and coastal flooding, as well as risk of damage and loss of buildings due to sea level rise, coastal erosion and coastal flooding. The latter is a problem in Dublin. Clontarf, in my own area, has been exposed for a long time. There are efforts afoot, and have been for a long time, to put a defence in place there.

The report signposts some very good priority actions. What is the mechanism by which they will be implemented? The Minister of State mentioned the new adaptation framework which is welcome. What is the mechanism by which they are turned into action and what is the budgeting process involved? There will be a fair bit of capital required for these projects.

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