Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators Ó Ríordáin, Clifford-Lee and others for their support for the Government on Brexit and what we are collectively trying to achieve in terms of the future of the country. This is a critical period in our nation's history. I salute the efforts of our leadership and their backroom civil servants and advisers. I hope we will be able to navigate through this successfully.

We are led to believe by Met Éireann that tomorrow, we will have Storm Lorenzo. At present, it is a hurricane but by the time it reaches us it will have been downgraded to storm status. I remember standing up in the Chamber in 2014 after Lahinch and the entire coast of County Clare had been battered by the January storms and sea conditions. I am happy to report to the House that since then, in my area of Lahinch there has been coastal investment of €10 million on rock armoury and other works. The big test will be tomorrow evening when we see how effective the coastal work has been. Will the Leader facilitate a debate with the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works on coastal protection? It would be very timely, given what we will experience tomorrow. I do not believe we are investing sufficiently in coastal protection. We need to spend billions and have a multi-annual plan over the next ten years, comprising €1 billion per year, to try to protect all of our coastal communities, tourist destinations, fishing villages, people farming on the coastline and coastal infrastructure from the rough elements of the sea. While the sea brings much enjoyment to thousands of people in many parts of the country throughout the year, there are times when its ferocity and anger can have a devastating effect. As an island nation, the only way we can protect from this is by investing in coastal protection. We need the solidarity of our European colleagues to come up with the resources needed. What we are spending at present is minuscule compared to what should be spent. This is extremely important. Coming from a fishing village, the Cathaoirleach knows the absolute importance of effective and proper coastal protection. We are living in a different world now and we need this investment. I hope the Leader will facilitate such a debate in early course.