Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In response to the developing risks associated with climate change - including changing weather patterns and an estimated sea level rise of up to one metre by the year 2100 - the Government established an Inter Departmental Group to prepare a scoping report for a National Coastal Change Management Strategy. The purpose of the Group was 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 Inter-Departmental Group was 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 report of the Interdepartmental Group was approved last year by Government and published can be found online: gov.ie - Coastal Change Management Strategy Report (www.gov.ie)

The Report sets out the Group’s initial findings and recommendations to enable the State to assess risks and develop appropriate responses, and it addresses:-

o Approaches to coastal change management in EU and other jurisdictions;

o Baseline and other data capture and research requirements to inform developing, implementing and monitoring a national coastal management strategy, to include potential damages assessment;

o Outline of the economic, environmental, cultural and social policy issues arising with approaches to coastal change management;

o The development of criteria that can help inform planning and investment decisions on future use of all coastal areas, including any guidance requirements;

o Recommendations on future structures and roles of Government Departments to deal with coastal change and to deliver a national coastal change policy, including adaptation strategies, resource implications, legislative and regulatory change requirements and a communications strategy to underpin it.

Tackling coastal change management in response to climate change will be complex, multi-faceted and dynamic, demanding a range of research, policy and consequential management responses. Through the 15 recommendations set out in the report, an evidence-based coastal change management strategy facilitating key decisions to be taken to address and manage the impacts of coastal change over the short, medium and longer terms will be put in place. The strategy set out in the scoping report involves an integrated whole of government approach, with actions across many sectors and my Department will play a key role in coordinating and driving this essential work programme.

This work is being progressed through the establishment of an interdepartmental working group which is due to meet in the coming weeks, to be led and chaired by my Department. My Department will act as the policy lead, in particular co-ordinating the work across Government with respect to responding in a co-ordinated way to the challenge of coastal change. The Office of Public Works will act as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints.