Written Answers. - Water Levels.
Roger T. Garland
Question:
150
Mr. Garland
asked the
Minister for the Marine
if he will make a statement on the rising water levels due to the melting of Arctic ice caps; if he will outline the measures which are going to be taken to prevent widespread flooding in lowland areas in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A series of studies on the effects of climate change in Ireland was published by the Department of the Environment in December 1991; copies of the studies are available in the Oireachtas Library. One of the studies addressed the effects on coastal areas of a rise in sea level along the lines estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The study concluded that, while Ireland would not be likely to suffer severely from the estimated sea-level rise, there would be increased coastal erosion and flooding in particular areas. The conclusions of the studies will be taken into account by all relevant Departments.
Having said that, responsibility for identifying erosion problems, for maintenance of the coastline and for measures that may be required to deal with rising sea levels and the aftermath of storm damage will, as heretofore, be matters in the first instance for coastal local authorities. Owners of private property have, of course, a role in protecting their own interests. My Department's role is to assist coastal local authorities by facilitating major permanent schemes, where warranted, to prevent progressive erosion by the sea.
To this end, and with a view to drawing up a national programme of coast protection works for the coming years, my Department during 1991 requested each coastal local authority to submit priorities for coast protection schemes. To date, responses have been received from Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford, Limerick, Clare, Sligo and Donegal County Councils and Dún Laoghaire Corporation.
My Department has already identified a number of locations around the coast where valuable property is threatened by erosion. This whole issue is under consideration in my Department at present.
I have received a copy of theReport on Coastal Management — A Case for Action which was drawn up by the National Coastal Erosion Committee. The report is being evaluated by my Department's engineers and as soon as their findings are to hand I will make a statement on the matter.
