Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022
154. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his engagement with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in respect of the increased threat of floods in coastal areas due to the climate crisis. [9443/22]
View answerThe National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering Group was established in 2020 and is chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Group is tasked with considering the development of an integrated, whole-of-Government, coastal change strategy. My Department is represented on the Group and provides appropriate support to its work.
My Department is responsible for National Adaptation Policy and the National Adaptation Framework published in January 2018, which is being reviewed this year. In addition, the sectoral plans in relation to communication and energy are under my remit. Adaptation planning for water, biodiversity, and the built and archaeological heritage sectors fall under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Coastal erosion can significantly impact Local Authority infrastructure, including roads and leisure facilities. In addition, vital infrastructure located in Local Authority functional areas, but under the ownership of other bodies, may be particularly open to the effects of coastal erosion, including water (treatment and supply), communications and energy infrastructures.
Through the National Adaptation Steering Committee, my Department works with all sectors and the Local Authorities to co-ordinate implementation of adaptation policy nationally. My Department also supports the work of the Local Authorities in implementing Local Adaptation Strategies through the Climate Action Regional Offices.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act, 2021 strengthens the role of Local Authorities for effective climate action. It sets out legislative requirements for each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan, including both mitigation and adaptation measures.. These plans will have to be consistent with national climate plans and strategies, and Local Authorities will have to liaise with each other in the preparation of these plans.
I would like to see a clear policy on mapping and monitoring of the coastline emerge from the National Coastal Change Management Strategy Working Group. This would incorporate best available data and techniques to consider the likely impacts of climate change in a consistent manner (including those currently developed at Geological Survey Ireland), and would greatly facilitate the work of Local Authorities, Irish Water, and relevant communications and energy agencies and companies.
