Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 November 2023
37. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which Ireland continues to make progress towards meeting climate change issues with particular reference to flooding prevention land drainage/management and any other issues of potential positive impact in meeting the various climate challenges in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50210/23]
View answerIreland’s climate is changing in terms of increases in average temperature, changes in precipitation patterns, and weather extremes. Ireland will need to adapt to diverse and wide-ranging impacts including flood risk and land drainage and management impacts.
My Department leads on the National Adaptation Framework (NAF), developed under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. The NAF outlines a whole of government and society approach to climate adaptation in Ireland to improve the enabling environment for adaptation through ongoing engagement with key sectors, along with civil society, the private sector, and the research community. The key objectives of the NAF are implemented through activity at sectoral, regional and local levels. Departments and Agencies are responsible for implementing adaptation measures in sectors. The OPW leads on implementing the Flood Risk Sectoral Adaptation Plan.
Land management has not always been optimal for all of the demands placed on it and we cannot continue with the same land use patterns as previously. Improved evidence will allow for improved future decisions. The second phase of the Land-use Review has now commenced and shall seek to optimise land use across key Government objectives of improving socioeconomic, climate, biodiversity, water, and air quality outcomes.
Following a statutory review by my Department in 2022, a new NAF is currently in development and a first draft is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. A public consultation will be held in early 2024 following which the new NAF will be submitted for Government approval.
